Former St. David's MP Suzanne Holshouser has been appointed as the new UBP Senator replacing Michael Fahy who left to be one of the founders of the new Bermuda Democratic Alliance party.

Mrs. Holshouser, who stepped away from politics a few years ago, said: "I felt crippled over the past few years when I no longer had the capabilities of having access to ministers.

"I found that while I was making phone calls I would either not have them returned or found that Permanent Secretaries might call me back, so that's no way to achieve anything."

According to Mrs. Holshouser, being an MP provided her with easy access to ministers and to their staff, so she could actually help people now as a Senator she has even more potential to "work hard" and "get results".

She said: "I actually look forward to continuing my work for the people of St. David's and the people of Bermuda."

Mrs. Holshouser was offered the position by Kim Swan on Thursday night, shortly after he was re-elected UBP leader. Mr. Swan won the leadership challenge against E.T. Bob Richards after a secret ballot was cast from 76 delegates.

She said: "I appreciate the opportunity that has been offered to me and I support the new leader of the United Bermuda Party and his passion for the people. I think I share the same passion.

"And it's hopefully with the intent of unity that we can move forward without negativity, pushing people apart and pushing people away. I think Bermuda has seen enough of that.

"So I am looking forward to getting back in the saddle, working for the people from the bottom of my heart which it needs to be done, and not in a negative manner."

Mrs. Holshouser commented on the re-election of Mr. Swan, saying: "Kim is a very passionate individual. There may be individuals that have commented that change hasn't come fast enough, but there have been a lot of changes over the past ten years.

"Have they all been successful? Have they all been appreciated? And I am not just talking about within the political party, I am talking about change within Bermuda.

"So if we want to start to change again I reiterate we need to start taking a look at ourselves and see how we can change, how we can make a difference and how we can move after we (decide) where we want to go. How are we going to get there, and we have to do it together."