The United Bermuda Party will not disband, according to UBP MP Shawn Crockwell.

Yesterday, the UBP's parliamentary group gathered for one of the first meetings scheduled for the next couple of weeks.

Mr. Crockwell said that while many options had and have been discussed there has been no mention or moves toward disbanding the party.

He said: "I was asked if it's one of the available options and I had said we are discussing everything. In other words we have a responsibility to explore every option.

"However, there have been no moves to disband the UBP. We are here to serve the public and at this stage we are only having discussion about what we want to do.

"We have a schedule of meetings and we understand the importance of selecting a leader and we understand the importance of taking time to present the strongest party."

Many have speculated that if the party could rid itself of the stigma of 'white power' that the Progressive Labour Party has attached to the UBP name, the Opposition could win again.

However, Mr. Crockwell said yesterday that the option to disband had not been raised or discussed and at this time no one had offered themselves as the leader.

Shadow Finance Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin continues to serve in the interim.

The UBP was left without a leader when Patrice Minors defeated former opposition leader Michael Dunkley in Smith's North in the general election.

Mr. Dunkley has since announced that he will remain in politics and involved in the UBP although he has not said in what capacity.

December 18 saw not only the toppling of the UBP's leader, but also of the party as the Progressive Labour Party won by a larger margin than in 2003.

The UBP's share of the popular vote slipped about one percentage point to 47.2 percent compared to the PLP's 52.3 percent.

Days after the defeat Mr. Crockwell had speculated that disbanding was one of many options the UBP would have to consider.

But he had in the same article ruled himself out as leader as has Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin, saying that he needed the experience of sitting in the House of Assembly before he took the top job.

Yesterday, the MP for Pembroke West said the decision will not be rushed.

He said: "The process is ongoing, but we will be ready for the House when it sits again."