A school teacher who will run for the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) in St. George's West has ambitions to become Education Minister, it emerged yesterday.

"I cannot make the changes that I would like to make as a teacher and I feel that I can only make those changes as Education Minister," said Dean Foggo, a CedarBridge Academy teacher. But he then quickly backtracked and said it was Premier Jennifer Smith's decision who to include in her next possible cabinet.

Mr. Foggo teaches Business and Information Technology at the Island's largest secondary school, and was one of five new election candidates to be announced at the PLP's Alaska Hall headquarters yesterday.

"I sit here with joy in my heart but also with sadness because, you see, I have to give up the profession which I love, that of educating young people. But putting myself forward will allow me to help continue the growth that the education system has seen and I look forward to being a part of it," he said.

"My heart has always been in teaching and I've always done everything for the students rather than looking at myself. Now I will look first at what I can do for my constituency and for Bermuda as a whole. I feel that if I can make it at CedarBridge then I can make it in politics. I see the value of working in the PLP and not standing by on my own. I'm a team player."

Mr. Foggo, a St. George's native, will run against the United Bermuda Party's Kim Swan in District Three, which forms part of what was Premier Jennifer Smith's old district of St. George's North. In 1998, Sen. Swan lost the race for that seat to Delaey Robinson by 150 votes.

Also formally announced as a candidate yesterday was Glenn Blakeney, who will take up the PLP's cause in Devonshire North Central, or District 13.

Asked about his reaction to being picked to run in what has been considered to be a PLP stronghold, Mr. Blakeney said: "I don't see Constituency 13 as safe. I don't have that arrogance and I don't have any crystal balls. I've got to work and I will work and I hope its indicative of the work I will do after the election also. None of us see our constituencies as safe. It is a new political landscape."

Mr. Blakeney, the PLP's former public relations manager who will be replaced by Walter Roban, added: "I cannot promise anything except to do my best and to address the parochial concerns of the area."

Asked what they were, he said: "Housing, crime, seniors and education are all serious concerns. We have worked in steps and stages because politics is a moving target. It depends on where the most immediate needs are. We're starting now fresh on a level playing field because of constitutional changes that should have happened 35 years ago. We're not asking for another term. We're saying we deserve another term."

Mr. Blakeney's candidacy became known last week when he confirmed reports that he was being considered as a candidate and said he had made it known some weeks ago that he would be willing to stand and run wherever the party placed him.

The PLP Devonshire North Central branch's original choice for candidate was Pauulu Kamarakafego, otherwise known as Dr. Roosevelt Brown, but he was replaced last week, the same night as he was interviewed by the candidate selection committee, which included Mr. Blakeney.

Other announcements yesterday included Minister without Portfolio Neletha Butterfield, who will be running in District 18, or Pembroke West Central. Ms Butterfield emphasised that her focus would be on helping in the education of young people "which is an area of particular interest" should she be elected

She added: "I am running where I was born and raised. The exciting thing is that so many people come forward when I'm canvassing, saying they remember me from when I was a little girl."

Running in District 16, or Pembroke East Central, Health Minister Nelson Bascome will provide peace of mind for the party by contesting what should be a reasonably safe seat for the PLP.

He said: "It is a constituency in which I live and I will enjoy serving the public there once again."

Meanwhile, Telecommunications, E-Commerce and Tourism Minister Renee Webb will run in District Four, otherwise known as St. George's South, an area which includes a large portion of the area she currently represents, Hamilton East.