More than a dozen Progressive Labour Party members are said to have put themselves forward to fight the by-election for late Health Minister Nelson Bascome's seat.

Potential candidates include a number of Premier Ewart Brown supporters, although no names have been confirmed by the PLP.

Local party members yesterday told The Royal Gazette they wanted somebody who would be prepared to get their teeth into the key issues affecting Pembroke East Central: gangs and drug problems.

Opinion was split as to whether the ideal candidate needs to have strong ties in the area, to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Bascome, who was known for his community work.

One PLP source said Dr. Brown would push as hard as he can to get one of his biggest backers into Parliament, with Senators Marc Bean and Walton Brown both keen to become MPs. A decision will be made after the branch makes a recommendation to the PLP's central committee, on which sit a number of pro-Dr. Brown members such as Workers Voice editor LaVerne Furbert.

A PLP member from the area said there was more interest than usual in the seat.

"A lot of people have put their names forward," said the resident. "It's considered to be a safe seat; everybody is coming out of the woodwork."

Sen. Bean and Sen. Brown's names have been circulating around Constituency 16 over the past few days. Both lost in strong United Bermuda Party seats in the 2007 General Election. Since then Sen. Bean has tried again but failed in the Southampton West Central by-election; while Pembroke constituents say Sen. Brown has been canvassing in recent months.

Either would boost Dr. Brown's dwindling support among his fellow MPs, and given their experience as Junior Ministers on the Senate may be moved straight into Cabinet, which has lost a string of seasoned politicians this summer.

Sen. Bean has repeatedly spoken out in support of the Premier, while Sen. Brown was said to have attempted to rally the PLP troops when his cousin Dr. Brown faced a vote of no confidence earlier this summer.

Sen. Bean has a history of tackling gang problems in the White Hill area, but one local PLP member said: "He's not from the area. A lot of the neighbours are saying they want someone who lives in the area. "This is an area that has specific gang-related issues. How useful is someone going to be who lives at the other end of the Island?

"We are looking for someone who, when shots are fired, they are worried they might get hit as well; someone who is a part of the community. Another issue is the dump. When it caught fire, Nelson would probably have had to go block his roof because he lived here."

Mr. Bascome's widow Shirlene Bascome, the branch chair, has said the newcomer may not have to live in the constituency.

Another PLP supporting resident backed that up yesterday, saying: "It would be a bonus if they come from the constituency, but I wouldn't mind if they didn't live here once they are elected, if they are still visible in the community. I would think they could do a good job travelling in."

Deadline for applicants closed on Monday. Mrs. Bascome said she had not been told how many applicants there were, and party chair David Burt refused to disclose the level of interest.

Mr. Burt said: "The Progressive Labour Party is currently undergoing the candidate selection process. We intend to complete our constitutional process on Tuesday (August 11), and announce our candidate on Wednesday. There will be no further comment from the party on this matter. Any other news reports will be merely uninformed speculation and should be treated as such."

Other names mentioned so far include former Attorney General Philip Perinchief, lawyer Elizabeth Christopher, Labour Minister David Burch, race relations consultant Rolfe Commissiong and Civil Service head Kenneth Dill. Mr. Bascome won the last election with 87 percent of the vote in one of the most solid PLP seats.