This is an open letter from MP Charlie Swan to the Constituents of Southampton West CentralMay 8, 2011It is my continued wish to serve, having been elected by the Constituency of Southampton West Central (Constituency #31) in December 2008.Given the recent activity, and decision on Tuesday last concerning the merger between the United Bermuda Party and the Bermuda Democratic Alliance forming a new group to be called the One Bermuda Alliance, I owe it to the Constituents of Southampton West Central, who respect that I ran under the United Bermuda Party's banner especially those who supported my election, but also those who may not have supported, and even those who did not vote, to seek their direct input and views. I respect the banner under which I was chosen, and I serve all constituents, regardless.Space does not permit me to recap all that has occurred over the past two years, beginning with the departure of three UBP MPs and culminating with what we have today.It will suffice to say that I was against their departure, and continuously encouraged them, initially to stay and work from within to engender change or, later, to simply return. There was plenty of opportunity for this to happen.While many may be pleased that the group is back together and this will include me (I was not present at Tuesday's meeting, did not vote, nor express any opinion on this merger) the results of the process by which this merger has happened are disturbing, not only for me personally, but also, I believe, for the people of Bermuda and in particular those whom I represent in Constituency #31.My concern arises from the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, at no time during these merger negotiations have either paid up, non paid up, or other supporters of myself and / or the United Bermuda Party, nor any other individual constituent in my or other areas, been afforded an organised opportunity to express their desire or wish on the single, and fundamentally important, issue ... the United Bermuda Party's closure.I may share some responsibility for this, in not more vociferously pushing the issue, but do feel that given the resulting demise of the party under whose umbrella I (and others) where elected, the negotiations should have allowed for, and included, this provision.It did not ... and is akin to recent issues such as the Tuckers Point SDO, the Uighurs, and others, whereby public input has not been adequately allowed for, nor sought in some instances.That being the case, I seek your input via this letter. You may call or text me on 505-4754, or e-mail batson51[AT]gmail.comYour Sincerely,CHARLIE SWAN JP MPSouthampton West Central