Former opposition legislator given Senate seat

Suzann Holshouser has returned to parliament as one of the three opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) senators, two years after losing her St. David seat in the general election, according to a report on www.cananews.net.



She replaces Michael Fahy, who quit the party to form the newly-formed Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA) party.



“I felt crippled over the past few years when I no longer had the capabilities of having access to ministers,\" said Holshouser, a popular “weather girl” with one of the island\'s television stations.



“I actually look forward to continuing my work for the people of St. David\'s and the people of Bermuda,” she added.



Holshouser was offered the position by Kim Swan, shortly after he was re-elected UBP leader. Swan won a leadership challenge against Shadow Finance Minister in a secret ballot involving 76 delegates last week.



“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,” she said.



Five defections within the past 12 months have left the beleaguered UBP with only nine of the 14 seats it won in the last elections.



Former leader Wayne Furbert now sit as independents in the 36-seat House of Assembly, while three others now represent the BDA in the House.



The ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) has won the last three elections and controls 22 of the 36 seats in Parliament.



The next election is due in 2012 and Premier Ewart Brown has already said he would step down next October after completing his four-year term as leader.