Former Premier John Swan has dismissed talk of a third party but said it is time the United Bermuda Party (UBP) put its house in order.

Last week UBP MP John Barritt said the public were disenchanted with both his party and the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) and were looking for a third force.

But Sir John, who ruled Bermuda for more than 13 years, said: "What's wrong with the UBP? Why don't people come together to do something with that?"

He said supporters of a third party only needed to read the history books to learn that break away groups were doomed.

"The Bermuda Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party (NLP) both came to nothing in terms of representation in Parliament. We don't want to fragment the Country even further."

He said the PLP had gone through a similar metamorphosis a while ago.

"It fragmented - the NLP was born but it didn't prove to be satisfactory.

"The UBP needs to change."

Asked what needed to be done Sir John refused to elaborate. He said: "I have expressed some views to members in private but I don't intend to express them openly.

"They know what they need to do and when they get round to doing it I think we will see some results.

"It's a matter for them to make up their minds. It can be done, it's not a big task."