Next leader of the opposition?

Politicians on both sides say the deal between the UBP and the BDA is not a merger but the creation of a new entity.

But not everyone is on board. Myron Piper, the former education spokesman for the BDA, has revealed that he quit the party late last year because of the discussions.

He said the BDA had not lived up to its promise of a new way and had failed to deliver a vision of hope and inspiration that would inspire support from the black community.

Mr Piper, who ran for the leadership of the BDA, said the party was too similar to the UBP and appealed to the same white voter base.

Senior BDA members feel they can retain their principles of a ‘better way’ in the new party and the Bermuda Sun understands the two parties will get equal representation in the Senate.

Sources said BDA members were also likely to be well represented among the party’s candidates for the next election, stressing that this was not the creation of a ‘new UBP’ but a more youthful, forward-looking party that more closely mirrored the founding principles of the Democratic Alliance.

Former Bermuda Sun editor John Barritt — a respected figure on both sides of the house —is the favourite to be the leader of the new party, at least until a constitution is agreed and internal elections are held.

Mr. Barritt is considered the obvious choice because of his experience and his record of bi-partisan co-operation.

A number of names for the new party have been discussed, but the United Bermuda Party label will disappear along with the short-lived BDA title.