The Opposition presently holds fourteen seats – this is a positive thing and a solid base upon which to build. It is a fact that the fourteen who hold their seats under the 'new' UBP banner are not philosophically related to the UBP of old. Unlike the PLP, there wasn't one candidate for the UBP who dates back even close to the bad, old days – philosophically or in age. I believe all of us know this – even those who would stridently disagree, must know it in their hearts.

Instead, the UBP has shown, over the past few years, how generally uncomfortable the majority of its members and MPs are with the aura of the 'old' UBP hanging over their heads.

Consequently, they have spent an inordinate amount of time and effort (and money) trying to shed the labels – trying to disengage from the baggage.

Knowing as I do how difficult it is for white Bermudians who never supported the UBP of the past to believe that the UBP of today is not a relic of what it once was; it is easy to see how hard it would be for many black Bermudians to believe and trust in the sincerity of the new UBP. Particularly, when they are bombarded on all sides with emotive, false information. The 'new' UBP clearly struggles with this ever-present problem as illustrated by the results of the recent election. Michael Dunkley was a victim of this association – so ably exploited by the PLP. Other than the colour of his skin, Michael Dunkley bears no resemblance to anyone in the old UBP.

So, where does all this take us?

To the extent that my limited political experiences might assist I thought we might benefit from looking back to the mid eighties when the PLP experienced major philosophical differences and, in the view of many, a need to change. In this context, it needs to be remembered that back then PLP voters consistently returned a number of conservative, middle-of-the-road candidates to Parliament. Four of these moderate parliamentarians tried to debate their concerns in the public domain and within the party caucus; in caucus they were shouted down. They became more and more uncomfortable and disillusioned. The party leadership (which could not be described as moderate) felt the same, and moved to expel them from the PLP. This had the result of making four sitting PLP members of parliament no longer PLP – they became 'Independents' over-night.

The four ex PLP Members of Parliament were forced to consider their options. They had responsibilities to their constituents. These options concerned large numbers of moderate PLP members and supporters who had voted for them and who also supported their positions as dissidents within the PLP.

They went directly to their constituents and they went also to all the other districts, calling themselves PLP Members for Change. The support was huge – the island-wide meetings spilled out of the halls – it was clear the message resonated within the general community of Bermuda.

However, when the four ex PLP MPs and their hundreds of supporters decided to stay in the political arena, they knew it had to be as a new political party. Hence, the National Liberal Party was formed. It was formed out of the Progressive Labour Party but also attracted many different types of people – people who voted UBP simply because they were opposed to the PLP, and members of the general population not affiliated to any political party.

In fairness to the founders of the NLP, we knew it was a long shot. We had only four members of parliament. Perhaps, the NLP was doomed to fail because it was a third party in a small, divided community with a complex social history. Also, as it turned out, it was doomed to fail because it had too many powerful entities ranged against it. An unholy alliance was formed between the PLP, the UBP and the then editor of The Royal Gazette. This last point, in itself, is important to remember as it may well be relevant to the discussion today, in so far as, the NLP was considered viable enough to pose a threat to both the PLP and the UBP, so much so they would join in ensuring its downfall.

In the face of all this, I have always thought the NLP, with Mr. Gilbert Darrell, did extremely well to retain his seat in Parliament when a subsequent election was called.

What the NLP proved was the fact that there was (and, I believe still is) a sizeable constituency of moderate, political thinkers within the PLP, and in the community at large, in need of change. The PLP was not really the answer and the old UBP was unthinkable.

When the NLP ceased to exist many of the disaffected PLP gradually migrated back to the PLP simply because there was no other alternative.

I mention all this because I believe it relevant to the position in which the new UBP finds itself today. It needs to remember it is already in existence with an established, experienced parliamentary presence – it has a strong, structured base of workers and supporters. What it needs to do now is rejoice in the fact that it has the respectable number of fourteen seats in Parliament, with fourteen good, sincere Members. It now has to take a deep breath and go back to the people – and believe me – I do have some idea what this means in terms of hard work and emotional stress, for the MPs, their families and their canvassers.

These MPs must find out what the constituents in their districts want them to do.

If the results of their public constituency meetings come up with what I hope they will – the elected Opposition Members will discover that they have the support of their constituents to break away from the 'old' UBP, once and for all. They would probably also discover support amongst the electorate who wanted to vote for them and their colleagues in the recent election – but could not.

This will provide the fourteen Members of Parliament with a solid mandate. Hopefully, the mandate will be to continue doing what they have been doing. They would have the opportunity to morph into a political party which accurately describes their political beliefs and philosophies – in today's world. They would not be forming a third party – they would be the duly elected party in opposition – with fourteen seats and a laudable portion of the popular vote.

I am hoping that all the Opposition MPs will stand their ground – they have done well. In fact, they have proven themselves to be courageous, sincere, hardworking Bermudians and we should all be very grateful for their sacrifice. In short, we all need them – more than we perhaps fully understand.

However, Bermuda does not need the old United Bermuda Party. Bermuda really needs to close the book on the UBP – please.

A name for the new party would evolve from the discussions the fourteen Members of Parliament have with their constituents and their supporters. I believe that as long as they continue to demonstrate their integrity and adhere to the philosophy as outlined in their recent election promises and manifesto; and remain relevant to modern Bermuda, they will retain their support and I also believe they will substantially build on that support. It could well prove to be the case that the void in our political landscape is finally filled with the new party becoming the choice of many as an alternative to the PLP.

If this happens, we will have a strong Opposition – which we must have in order to function democratically and fairly in all aspects of government. Government will be kept on its toes and the opposition party of Whatever-it's-Called, will provide the electorate with a viable alternative in the next General Election.

Kathleen Bell is a former Progressive Labour Party Member and Candidate and was a founding member and candidate of the National Liberal Party. She has not been affiliated with any political group since 1989