Newly appointed United Bermuda Party Chairwoman Jeanne Atherden, yesterday, pledged to make the UBP a viable alternative by the next election.

The Senator also promised to "build the organisation that can help change the way we conduct our business as a Country".

Senator Atherden succeeds Jeff Sousa to the post.

Mr. Sousa stepped down last month to contest the party's Warwick West primary. Under the UBP constitution MPs are not allowed to hold the position of chairman, but no such restriction applies to Senators.

Sen. Atherden, a business executive and mother-of-two was appointed to the position by acclamation at the party's central executive meeting on Tuesday evening.

"Our mission is to get Bermuda back on track, to get it working again," she said.

"We want to restore confidence and belief in Bermuda, and to set new standards of public cooperation where people work together more effectively to solve longstanding problems."

Sen. Atherden, who was appointed to the Upper House in 2008, is the sister of Pembroke West election hopeful Erwin Adderley and the daughter of 1960s UBP candidate Pearl Adderley.

Introducing her to the press yesterday, party leader Kim Swan said Sen. Atherden brought enthusiasm and wisdom to the post at a challenging time for the Island.

"She is a senator, businesswoman and community activist who cares deeply about the future of the Country," said Mr. Swan.

Sen. Atherden said her first order of business as chairwoman would be to reach out to the community at the branch level to hear the concerns of voters.

She denied, however, that the task of making the UBP electable again was made more difficult by the arrival of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance.

"Until the actual election occurs, all the parties are getting themselves geared up. The UBP is getting stronger, and individuals will have to make a decision as to whether they believe we're the party they need to vote for.

"The UBP and its supporters are starting to feel the train is moving," she said.

Sen. Atherden stressed the task was not insurmountable, noting that a swing from 47 percent of the vote the UBP's share in the last election to 52 percent was feasible.

"You have to make people believe and appreciate that they should vote for us… I am a person who believes it's not so much how much effort you put in but the results. I'm looking to deliver those results."