“The path forward is in your hands,” so says Endurance Specialty Holdings in a letter to Aspen Insurance Holdings shareholders urging them to take measures to support Endurance's $3.2 billion hostile bid for Aspen.

The letter, unveiled today, asks Aspen shareholders to support Endurance's two proposals unveiled June 2 in an SEC filing. The first proposal calls for a Special General Meeting during with shareholders would consider a proposal to expand Aspen's board from 12 to 19 directors, resulting in a majority of the current directors to stand for election at Aspen's 2015 annual general meeting.

In support of this action, Endurance again levels its charge that Aspen's board and management are pursuing an “entrenchment” strategy in rejecting Endurance's bid. The letter says, “Aspen's entrenchment device of a classified board, coupled with its restrictive bye-law provisions, have necessitated this action to ensure Aspen's shareholders have a voice in the direction of their company.”