Fate has played a key role in the political fortunes of former court reporter Ashfield DeVent, eventually landing him at the helm of the massive Works and Engineering and Housing Ministry.

Now, one year into his tenure as a Progressive Labour Party Cabinet Minister, Mr. DeVent is firmly ensconced in the more moderate wing of his party's parliamentary group and is calling for a “mindset” change in some segments of the community as a pre-requisite for lasting social progress.

He said too many Bermudians did not feel that Bermuda belonged to them nor did they feel good about themselves - probably as a result of historical conditioning - but the change many have been yearning for what will not happen as quickly as hoped if such mindsets don't change.

“Too many Bermudians have developed the attitude that Bermuda is not for them,” he said during an extensive interview this week.

“They have developed a very negative mindset. As opposed to seeing the glass half full, it's half empty - and the opportunities abound here.

“For working class people it's never been easy, but if people want to put their nose to the grindstone, whether at school or at their jobs, the opportunities are here - and particularly for young people.”

Bermuda, he continued, is “still one of the best places in the world to live and make your way if you really work at it”.

Mr. DeVent added that many were too reliant on Government for housing and other needs without accepting any personal responsibility for improving their situations.

“Home ownership is the key,” to solving the housing shortage, he said.

“But I'm constantly finding people who say they are not interested in the responsibility of home ownership and some people, when I ask them what happens when they turn 65, they say ‘the Government will take care of me.'”

Mr. DeVent added that he had also met people who had complained that they had received no help from the Housing Corporation, but then it emerged that they approached the quango just once two years ago.

And some who complained about not receiving Government contracts never tried because they did not believe they would be successful, he said.

Bermuda has moved away from the point where “certain people got all the jobs and the opportunities,” he said.

“Now that has changed, it requires “Now that has changed, it requires a change in the mindset of the people as well... A change in policy is pretty simple, but changing how people think and act is not so simple.”

The Minister went on to say that he recognised that some supporters of the PLP had expected changes in the socio-economic order to happen “overnight” once the party took over the reins of power.

“I think because the country never had a change of Government for so long, democracy and how it actually works is in an infantile stage in this country. People tend to believe that the way to get things done is to call the talk shows and complain or see a politician in the street and hurl abuse at them.”

A more productive response to disillusionment would be to get involved in the political process, he said.

“Join a political party or form a new one. You cannot make change by throwing stones from the outside.”

He said prior to the PLP's ascendancy to power “there was a Government that catered to those that had and ensured that they continued to have and have more”.

“It was a Government that closed the Technical Institute” which had produced the “cream of the cream” in the technical professions.

But, he said, with the “reemergence” of the National Training Board, such education has been reintroduced into the system.

Mr. DeVent's journey to the Cabinet started with the Pembroke East Central by-election to replace the late Tourism Minister David Allen who died in late 2002.

Mr. DeVent managed to secure the PLP's endorsement as the candidate and then trounced his opponent, Leonard Santucci, in the ensuing poll.

And he held on to his place in Parliament when he handily won the battle for the newly configured Pembroke South East seat following last year's General Election.

Another death - that of Finance Minister Eugene Cox early this year - led to a Cabinet reshuffle and Mr. DeVent's acceptance of the Works and Engineering portfolio.

“I would have probably chosen something a little less demanding and controversial but I guess they all have their challenges,” he said. “And I am a team player so, I accepted.”

Asked what impact the fact that he is a Minister would have had on those who share his humble back of town beginnings, he said: “I definitely have a role to play and I think circumstances have put me here for a reason - to express the views and feelings of a younger group and to try and be a bridge between the Government and those that probably feel more marginalised than many people would imagine.

“Because Bermuda's a place where it's easy to go from work to home and unless you have direct contact with some of these places and people you have no idea what effect it can have on the community and the country.”

Mr. DeVent added: “I'd like to think it lets them know that they too can aspire to be in the highest office.”