A former United Bermuda Party candidate has thrown her hat in the ring as an independent in the constituency last held by the leader of the One Bermuda Alliance.

Marilyn Steede said she decided to run in Devonshire South Central, where Craig Cannonier won in the last election, because she was “disillusioned” with the One Bermuda Alliance and the Progressive Labour Party.

Ms Steede added: “I have not voted for the past two general elections.

“I have been hopeful that a credible independent candidate would take up the gauntlet to run in my constituency.”

Ms Steede said she had opted to fight Devonshire South Central on October 1 because she was dissatisfied with Mr Cannonier’s performance.

Ms Steede added: “My campaign slogan is RIDE, which equals respect, integrity, dedication and ethics.

“Personally, I have not witnessed any instance of Mr Cannonier demonstrating one of these elements.”

She said that she was not convinced Mr Cannonier had been open about the Jetgate controversy, which involved the former premier and other OBA Cabinet ministers taking a trip to the United States in a private jet owned by an American business tycoon.

She added: “Even prior to Jetgate, I felt, and still feel, that he does not respond to issues based on facts, but rather he cites what he believes to be the case.”

Ms Steede added she was also unhappy with the OBA’s decision to field 31 candidates instead of the full slate of 36.

She asked: “How does Mr Cannonier justify disenfranchising 4,000-plus registered voters from exercising their right to participate in the democratic process?”

Ms Steede said that the Government should create full-time work crews for unemployed young people to maintain the hedges and do roadside landscaping.

She also wanted to see a return of College Weeks, a tourism staple from the 1950s to the late 1970s, to boost the economy.

Ms Steede added: “I have promised the constituents of Devonshire South Central that I will not cross the floor, nor walk away as their representative, without first informing them of my desire to resign my representation and request of them to accept my resignation.”

Ms Steede made an unsuccessful run for the UBP in 2007 against the PLP’s Neletha Butterfield and independent candidates in Pembroke West Central.