new MPs following the resignations of former Premiers David Saul and Sir John Swan. In the fifth in a six-part series, Raymond Hainey profiles Danny Farias, who is running for the Progressive Labour Party in Devonshire South.

Fisherman Dennis (Danny) Farias is hoping his second attempt to net a Devonshire South seat in the House of Assembly will be successful.

But Mr. Farias, standing for the Progressive Labour Party, is likely to face heavy weather in his bid to win the by-election in what appears to be a UBP stronghold.

He got into politics through his concern for the marine environment and he was reeled in slowly, culminating in his standing for the PLP in the same seat at the '93 General Election.

Mr. Farias, 64, said: "It's been the environment -- I've always been concerned about that, not just fish but open spaces and pollution.'' But he said he had broadened his stand since 1993 and extended his platform from a single issue.

He added: "The environment includes schools, education, pupils, parents, crime and the drugs problem and what have you.

"It's all environmental -- you can't divorce one from the other. We the people are part of the environment proper. That's the way I look at it now.'' Mr. Farias appears also to be a supporter of Independence -- although when he announced the candidature, he refused to be drawn, saying it was a matter for the Bermudian people to decide.

But he told The Royal Gazette that one legacy of British colonialism was a rigid social structure which relegated blacks and those of Portuguese extraction to the status of second-class citizens.

He added, however, that British and nationals of other countries who have acquired Bermudian status through marriage are also treated as outsiders -- an opinion, it must be said, backed up by statements by at least some PLP members, including the party's candidate in Paget East.

But Mr. Farias said: Mr. Farias is also unusual in that he is one of the few whites to become publicly involved with the PLP -- or the Bermuda Industrial Union.

He said: "I don't have a problem with the PLP or the Bermuda Industrial Union. I got a lot of flak for that and when I went in with the PLP as well, people sort of got disturbed with me.

"But I have seen them turn around, not all of them, but I have seen them turn around because I have gone in with conviction.'' But he claimed that had not stopped approaches to sign him up from the United Bermuda Party -- even up to the advance polling for the by-election this week.

He became involved in politics in the 1970s when he campaigned for tougher fishing regulations to protect fin fish the marine environment.

Mr. Farias organised the Bermuda Commercial Fishermen's Association and lobbied Parliament, striking up a relationship with Eugene Cox, now Deputy Leader of the PLP.

The pressure resulted in a fisheries protection order in 1971 offering safe havens for fin fish in the southwest and east-north-east quadrants off the Island.

Mr. Farias and running mate Richard Lynch stood in Devonshire South in the General Election of 1993, picking up more than 500 votes each, but still well behind the UBP team of David Saul -- whose resignation from the Premiership and the House sparked the by-election -- and John Barritt.

On Monday: United Bermuda Party candidate in Devonshire South Michael Dunkley.

FACT FILE Age: 64 Profession: Fisherman Political history: Head of the Commercial Fishermen's Association. PLP candidate in Devonshire South in 1993.

"The system we live with in this Country can devour anybody, regardless of whether they are black, Portuguese or British. If you step in the way, they will say you don't belong here.'' Danny Farias