Former United Bermuda Party leader Wayne Furbert says there is large support in the Country for a new political party to take on the Progressive Labour Party.

Speaking ahead of today's crunch meeting at Elbow Beach which will debate whether to reform or disband the UBP Mr. Furbert said it was not too late to save the party.

But he said there were thousands of voters looking for something new who would never support the UBP because of its racial bogey.

The Royal Gazette understands a rebel group of seven MPs want to split from the UBP.

The UBP lost its third election on the trot in December — picking up 14 seats to the PLP's 22 — and attracting 47 percent of the popular vote — slightly less than its 2003 figure.

Those in favour of a break-up say there are voters who are dissatisfied with the PLP who would never vote for the UBP on race grounds.

Mr. Furbert, who has denied being the leader of the rebel group, said: "If the United Bermuda Party can find a new way to rejuvenate itself and push the country forward, then most of us will be willing to work it. But if we can't, we have to find something new for the good of the country."

He said the UBP had come together in the 1960s with people wanting to do the best for Bermuda and the name came later.

"I am saying once again, some of us may have to come together for the common good. And then the name can come after."

Asked if he was confident the new group could become the official Opposition he said: "I am not confident. But we have a good base to start with. We are not running right now to start the party tomorrow.

"We are willing to work with the United Bermuda Party."

Asked if the new grouping would be willing to accept all of the current UBP MPs he said: "Some have to stay because if everyone joins people will be saying it's the same, it needs some of us with fresh new ideas and a fresh look at what's good for Bermuda."

However he said no MP had been rejected so far.

Already some in the PLP are trying to claim the split is being staged but Mr. Furbert said: "No, far from it, it is sincere. We are dedicated to the common good of Bermuda."

He said UBP supporters are split over what to do.

"There are people out there who are trying to resuscitate the United Bermuda Party and there are people who are saying 'Gentlemen, do something different. You must start a new party."

After the election Mr. Furbert had told of a friend who said to him: 'I don't like Ewart Brown. I don't like the PLP. But I hated the UBP'."

Asked how many of these conversations he had he said: "Hundreds. There are probably thousands throughout Bermuda who are looking for something different but just can't find the energy or the will to break away from just the perception, not reality you know, I don't believe in most of the things they say, but the perceptions is the United Bermuda Party for some reason has done wrong to predominantly black people in Bermuda.

"I saw little kids coming down to the polling station singing songs about the United Bermuda Party which were not good. They are training young kids at a very young age about how bad the United Bermuda Party is.

"I am saying for the good of this Country the time may be up. That's why we have to look at the full scope of where we go – not as the United Bermuda Party."

Many PLP MPs and supporters have urged the UBP to carry on but Mr. Furbert believes the Government fears a new party.

"What then is their mode of argument? You take away what they have been arguing all this time. That's the whole mindset, at least where I am coming from.

"You have to take away their argument and then let's get back to fighting on issues – health care, education, housing – what the people of Bermuda have really being crying out for."

He said there were disillusioned PLP supporters who were also looking for a new vehicle to join.

"I have attracted most of the blacks within that group so I feel some obligation to ensure there is some stability there."

Asked about the failure of the National Liberal Party which was formed by break away PLP MPs in the 1980s he said: "They were never Opposition. You had two powerful groups – the UBP and the PLP and neither were budging. The PLP had their base. But the UBP is much weaker now than it used to be."

The rebel group are confident they can get the majority of the Opposition MPs and form the official Opposition.

This would give them the right to nominate three senators while a rump UBP hardcore would not have any rights to nominate anyone for the Upper Chamber.

Loyalists argue the UBP, which picked up 47 percent of the vote at the general election last month, is only five percent age points from Government.

However Mr. Furbert said: "The UBP's numbers would be much lower if some of us weren't running."

He said the UBP loyalists were "whistling Dixie" if they thought they could attract the extra few votes needed for power under the current set-up.

"In the current state of affairs in Bermuda black people will vote en masse for the PLP. They are voting more against the UBP than for the PLP.

"If we can find a way for the survival of the UBP in the best interests of Bermuda many of us would back off. But if we can't find any other way for the good of the country many of us will have to go forward.

"The reason why I am talking is people have always known me to at least try to be honest and open to people. I don't believe in backroom deals I am always intersted in the people and the Country.

"I will not get involved in anything underhanded. I love the United Bermuda Party but I love Bermuda more."