United Bermuda Party
| United Bermuda Party | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Hon.Wayne Furbet JP, MP |
| House Leader | Hon. John Barritt JP, MP |
| Chairperson | Gwyneth Rawlins |
| Founded | February 10, 1963 |
| Headquarters | 3rd Floor Bermudiana Arcade, Queen Street, Hamilton, Bermuda |
| Website | http://www.ubp.bm |
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| Law |
| Administrative divisions |
The United Bermuda Party (UBP) is a moderate political party in Bermuda. It supports a socially moderate and fiscally conservative agenda.
History
The United Bermuda Party was founded on August 21st, 1964 by 24 members of Bermuda's Parliament, following the formation of the Progressive Labour Party. Sir Henry Tucker was the leader of the new party. In 1968 the UBP formed the first Government under Bermuda’s new Constitution and universal adult suffrage, winning 30 of the 40 seats. Tucker was appointed Bermuda’s first Government Leader.
From 1964 until 1998 the UBP had a string of 8 straight electoral victories. Following the first, the party held 30 seats in Parliament. The 1970's saw the UBP majority in Parliament decline as the PLP grew in popularity. This trend stopped following the appointment of John Swan as Premier on January 15th, 1982. Under Swan's black leadership, the UBP control of Parliament strengthened through the elections of 1983 and 1985 (where it reached an all-time high of 31 seats), though this reversal ended in 1989.
Recent History
The 1990's were a troubling time for the party as the PLP gained in popularity. By 1993 the UBP held only 22 seats in Parliament. In 1995, Swan held a referendum on independence, which was soundly defeated. He 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 an unelected Senator, Dr. David Saul, who was soon replaced by Pamela Gordon, Bermuda's youngest Premier, and the first woman to hold the office. The party had seen three different leaders in two years.
In 1998 the PLP finally defeated the UBP. This marked the first time in over 30 years that the UBP was not in power. In the subsequent election (24 July 2003), the party won 48.0% of popular votes and 14 out of 36 seats under the leadership of Dr. Grant Gibbons. In January 2006, Gibbons was replaced when Wayne Furbert was unanimously selected as the new party leader.
Platform
Attempting to escape its image as a conservative white party, the UBP has re-branded itself as the New United Bermuda Party. Further, it has developed six core objectives:
- To promote Bermuda's social, moral, economic and political welfare.
- To develop Bermuda's unity and understanding.
- The ensure freedom and opportunity.
- To enforce the rights granted by the Bermuda Constitution.
- To maintain economic and political stability under a free market economy.
- To provide a sound, responsible and democratic government.