Opposition UBP chiefs may introduce major new policy changes in a bid to win back power.

Party members met at the weekend to discuss why the former Government performed so badly at the last election -- and what can be done to make the UBP electable again.

Last night, UBP Deputy Leader and Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons refused to be drawn on any change in direction the party may take.

But he did confirm the substance of what the party stands for was being re-addressed.

He added a change in the party name could also be on the cards at some point in the future, although a change in the party leadership is not likely.

And he said if the UBP is to win power again after its poor showing in the polls last November, the party has to reach out and get grass root support.

"There were a lot of ideas that came out of the meeting but it would be too early for me to say what new direction we may be taking,'' Dr. Gibbons said.

"A lot of people have opinions and these ideas will be going through the planning process as we re-build.

"My general sense was that it was a very constructive meeting and we had a strong turn-out. One of the important things was that a lot of people are focused on where we're going from here rather than looking backwards and pointing the finger.

"We have a group that's very focused on strategy and we have other working groups who are working on re-building and how we can go forward.

"We are going to get back to the grassroots and get people from all areas involved again -- there's going to be a lot of effort to reach out.

"The question over the name of the party wasn't discussed. It's not fair to say that a name change isn't an option because it will probably be one of the points of discussion as we re-build. Right now there's more interest in getting the substance of it in terms of what we stand for.'' Dr. Gibbons said he believed that there was a host of reasons why the UBP lost the election, but insisted that Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon has the full support of party workers.

"There is wide support for the party leader,'' he said.

"Her position was not discussed but I think it's fair to say that people are generally very happy. This is a long process and it takes a while but I think we're making progress and I believe there's a very good team spirit.'' He also stressed that, while in opposition, the party will strive to remain as constructive as possible.

"We're not like the PLP -- we're going to be a very different opposition,'' he said.

"What we're doing is trying to be constructive. We don't want to be seen as a group that makes a lot of noise -- we want to be considered and constructive.''

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