Sir John Swan, who led the “old United Bermuda Party” for 13 years as Premier, will be back as the head of an Economic Development and Tourism Authority if the new UBP wins the July 24 election.

This week the party fleshed out its proposals for a Ministry of Economic Development, which it says will take a “systematic” approach to economic empowerment, as well as rejuvenate tourism with a non-political Tourism Authority.

The UBP's economic plan - named HOPE - is built around Hospitality, Opportunity, Prosperity and Economic Empowerment.

Besides the Tourism Authority, the party wants to expand the role of the Small Business Development Corporation and establish an Economic Development Authority.

Yesterday UBP leader Grant Gibbons spoke of an Economic Development and Tourism Authority and introduced Sir John as its first chairman under a UBP government.

“The new United Bermuda Party is fortunate to have a man of his stature and experience to work with us in implementing our plans for economic diversification and economic empowerment,” he said.

“With over two decades of political experience and 13 years of Premier of Bermuda he has earned his retirement from political life. But those of you who know him understand that he has remained vitally interested in the future of our Island and the wellbeing of the Bermudian people. He speaks out with vision and concern, he has engaged in visionary efforts to develop and revitalise North Hamilton. He is full of new ideas. Sir John Swan was the obvious choice as chairman of the new Economic Development and Tourism Authority.”

Dr. Gibbons stressed that Sir John had “made it clear that he has no interest in re-entering the political arena”.

Sir John said he “felt comfortable in embracing the new United Bermuda Party” and accepting the responsibility.

“I've seen the party go through change. I've watched Dr. Gibbons as he attempted to be far more embracing of the party.”

He added that it was necessary that Bermuda “gets focused back in the right direction”.

“I don't want to see him making deals with Cuba or making deals with other countries that are not going to serve Bermuda's best interests,” he said.

“My intention will be to reach out to not only Bermudians but also in the areas of Washington, London and Ottawa in terms of things we want to do and send a clear message that we are back in business, we mean business and that we are going to safeguard the wellbeing of our people.

“Bermuda is a very special place and it has always shared a very special place in the hearts of people around the world. Somehow or the other I sense that those hearts have begun to weaken. I hope we can strengthen those hearts and those ties that will make Bermuda once again be regarded as a very special place in the minds of people.

“And therefore I will do my utmost to ensure that I embrace every Bermudian from all walks of life in this endeavour to invigorate tourism, economic development and some of the other requirements that are necessary for Bermuda to utilise its unique resources which is its human resources, its people and that everyone will feel as though Bermuda once again is a place for opportunity for them.”

Dr. Gibbons disagreed with a suggestion that the announcement was premature. “People have said to both parties that we need to provide substance and certainly what I have presented to you today is a man of substance who has the experience and certainly the vision and energy to help us redevelop both tourism and certainly the Bermuda economy.”

And the pair acknowledged that the selection of the Authority chairman was a political appointment, but it would still function as a non-political body much like the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the Bermuda Land Development Company and others.

Dr. Gibbons denied that Sir John's selection had anything to do with last year's failed movement by some UBP supporters to have the former Premier replace him as party leader.

The campaign, which was led by W.A. (Toppy) Cowen almost exactly a year ago, ended almost as soon as it started.

But Dr. Gibbons soon began speaking of a formal senior statesman role for Sir John if the UBP became government, possibly as the first Bermudian Governor or chairman of a foreign relations committee.

“It would be unfortunate if we couldn't find some senior role for him,” Dr. Gibbons said last July.

Sir John resigned as Premier after the Island rejected his effort to take Bermuda to independence in 1995, but he made it clear shortly after the 1998 election that he was willing to serve the country again if asked.

Legislation would have to be passed to set up the Authority. Sir John will develop the organisational process, structure and its operational aspects for approval by the government.

Sir John, who has a number of ongoing private ventures in Hamilton and has taken an active interest in developing the waterfront which is to be one of the Authority's priorities, denied that his serving the Authority was a conflict of interest.

“You either take people that are not successful who have never run anything and you give them something to run and you see the results you get. Or you take somebody who has had experience and who obviously has achieved something.

“Would you want somebody with a track record or without a track record? That track record might produce what might appear to be a conflict of interest. I have served this country for 13 years and I don't think anybody can accuse me of having a conflict of interest. So I stand on my own track record.”

And Dr. Gibbons said that it had been agreed with Sir John that he could not be involved privately in any of the redevelopment led by the Authority.