ducation, vocational training and the resurgence of old time values are key to solving some of the social problems plaguing our community, according to aspiring parliamentarian Ellen-Kate Horton.

Ms Horton, 57, a former teacher, is one of nine candidates who will be asking members of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) Sandys North branch to name her the party's candidate for the district's March 4 by-election.

If she does make it all the way through to the House of Assembly, she will likely emerge as one of the legislature's strongest no-nonsense advocates for improving the education system. But she is also fiercely pro-Independence,

With a wealth of public education experience behind her, she is convinced that restoring classroom authority back to teachers is central to moving forward.

"I think when we took the power from the hands of the teachers, we then started to have difficulties," she said.

"I'm not saying we have to beat up on our kids ? not at all. But I ran a tight ship in my classroom and was respected for it.

"We as adults need to lead the way, we need to show the way and we need to expect more of our young people. We need not fear saying you are out of order. Often they listen."

Currently an education officer with the Ministry of Education, Ms Horton spent several decades in the classroom ? having taught mathematics at Warwick Secondary School, Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.

She also headed up the Warwick Secondary School's mathematics department for four years from 1977 and, more recently, was head of CedarBridge Academy's mathematics department.

"My interest is really improving the lot of all Bermudians and this is the place where I could be in a position to do that," she said of her bid for elective office.

"I believe in hands on, I believe in the community and I believe that we really need to look at those around us, our neighbours, and see what their plight is."

Affordable housing can be addressed by fixing up uninhabited houses and educating whole communities about the need to embrace their neighbours who need help to cut down on resistance to new low cost housing developments.

"There was a time when we didn't do wrong because your neighbour was there and we cared for one another. There was more like a community caring."

The problem of unmotivated youth can be tackled with the help of the sports club, she said. Clubs could give back to the community by making their facilities available for vocational training.

"We need a needs assessment so we know where the holes are ? where the non-Bermudians are ? and ensure that we train people in those areas."

She is also for a system of needs-based financial scholarships and creating a non-monetary method of recognising academic excellence. Too many people in the past received Government scholarships when they could afford to pay for themselves, she claims.

The sister of Public Affairs Minister Randolph Horton, Ms Horton has held leadership positions in labour organisations such as the Bermuda Union of Teachers and the Caribbean Union of Teachers.

As a longtime member of the PLP she has not shied away from bucking the party line in the interests of the "greater good". Case in point : the Independence referendum of 1995. The PLP urged their supporters to boycott the initiative led by then Premier and United Bermuda Party (UBP) leader Sir John Swan, but Ms Horton campaigned against her own party's abstention campaign.

"I was for participation because I personally believed we needed Independence and I believed Independence is bigger than the man who is bringing it," Ms Horton said.

"I could have overlooked who is doing it and kept my focus and remained PLP through and through."

Today she says she would support a referendum on Independence. "I think people have to believe in it and I think we should stop shying away from it ? we need not be afraid to say the word Independence and we need not listen to the scare tactics we have been hearing."

Asked about her Cabinet ambitions, she said : "Every person running for public office must be looking for a Ministry somewhere down the line. Personally I would be willing to serve anywhere and I think my strength lies in knowing the education system" ?or sports, or anything which would involve her mathematics skills, she added after some reflection.

On changes within her party over the last six months, Ms Horton says all was for the best.

"I think the changes have been very positive and I think without a doubt Bermuda's a better place," she said. "I think we are a lot happier since the last elections. We were beginning to lose touch and I think we are regaining our focus. We are now a lot more respected than we were before the elections."