In an interview given shortly before the United Bermuda Party elected its new leader, former Premier Sir John Swan spoke of how the political party he once led needed to evolve in order to challenge the current Government.

In words partially reflected in Wayne Furbert's first interview yesterday as leader, Sir John said an "intellectual revolution" would be necessary to confront the problems of racial divisiveness.

Last year activist and one-time UBP supporter Khalid Wasi?- also known as Raymond Davis ? called for the formation of a third political party. At the time, Mr. Wasi said the alternative would be for the UBP to either fold or go through a "real reform."

Sir John said that Wasi's call reflected "a sign of desperation and frustration" with the UBP that Sir John said fell "at the feet of Dr. Gibbons because he is the leader".

And he asserted that people were wary of speaking out on such topics.

"If you have an opinion not set in stone by the UBP you are disloyal to the UBP.

"You are being held hostage by a system that is not working and when you try to make it work you are disloyal and that is what people are going through right now," he said.

Sir John was last night unavailable for comment on news of the leadership election.