United Bermuda Party

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United Bermuda Party
Founded21 August 1964
Dissolved30 June 2011
Merged into
centre-right

The United Bermuda Party (UBP) was a political party in Bermuda, which represented itself as centrist party with a moderate social and fiscal agenda. The party held power in Bermuda's House of Assembly continuously from 1968 to 1998, the 47-year-old party was dissolved on 30 June 2011 after the majority of its members joined the One Bermuda Alliance.[1]

History

Foundation and government, 1964–1998

The United Bermuda Party was founded on 21 August 1964, by 24 members of Bermuda's Parliament, following the formation of the

Premier. under Bermuda's new constitution and universal adult suffrage. The party was loosely modelled on the UK's Conservative Party.[2]

From 1968 until 1998, the UBP won 8 straight elections. The 1970s saw the UBP majority in Parliament decline as the PLP grew in strength. This trend was halted when

1989 election
.

The 1990s were a troubling time for the party as the PLP increasingly gained seats. Following the

referendum on independence, which was soundly defeated. He had promised to resign if the measure was defeated as a sign of his support for the issue, and kept his word. He was replaced by David Saul, who was soon replaced by Pamela Gordon
, Bermuda's youngest Premier, and the first woman to hold the office.

Opposition and disbanding, 1998–2011

At the

2007 election, and was replaced as leader by Kim Swan.[3] The party's deputy leader was long-standing maverick MP Trevor Moniz,[4] a recognised champion of Bermuda's Portuguese community.[5]

On 3 May 2011, the UBP executive voted to merge with the

official opposition party. On 29 June 2011, the UBP announced that its offices would close and it would cease to operate on the following day.[9]

Revival attempt, 2011–2012

In November 2011, the two remaining UBP MPs, Kim Swan and Charlie Swan, announced their intention to revive the UBP and to have it contest the next Bermudian election. The party's website was updated and election posters prepared. The two MPs were the only two announced candidates for the party.

17 December 2012, Kim and Charlie Swan announced they would run as independent candidates, effectively ending the revival attempt.[12] Neither won their seats.[13]

Leaders of the United Bermuda Party

Entered office Left office
Henry Tucker 1964 1971
Edward Richards 1971 1976
John Sharpe 1976 1977
David Gibbons
 1977 1982
John Swan
 1982 1995
David Saul 1995 1997
Pamela Gordon
 1997 2001
Grant Gibbons 2001 2006
Wayne Furbert 2006 2007
Michael Dunkley 2007 2007
Kim Swan 2007 2011

Platform

The United Bermuda Party's stated core objectives were:

  1. To promote Bermuda's social, moral, economic and political welfare.
  2. To develop Bermuda's unity and understanding.
  3. The ensure freedom and opportunity.
  4. To enforce the rights granted by the Bermuda Constitution.
  5. To maintain economic and political stability under a free market economy.
  6. To provide a sound, responsible and democratic government.

References

  1. ^ Royal Gazette (29 June 2011)
  2. ISBN 978-1612381428
  3. ^ Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch (21 January 2008). "Swan elected new UBP leader". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
  4. ^ "Moniz reflects about his Portuguese heritage | the Royal Gazette:Bermuda Lifestyle". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  5. ^ http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?sectionId=49&articleId=7d26a8e30030022[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ "UBP agrees to merge with BDA | Bermuda Politics". Archived from the original on 8 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  7. ^ Bermuda Sun (11 May 2011)
  8. ^ Bermuda Sun (16 May 2011)
  9. ^ Royal Gazette (29 June 2011)
  10. ^ UBP website Archived 6 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Bermuda Sun (2 March 2012)
  12. ^ Royal Gazette (14 November 2012)
  13. ^ Staff, Royal Gazette (18 December 2012). "Disappointment for the independents". www.royalgazette.com. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
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