Senator Vince Ingham is the ruling party’s candidate for Pembroke West, it was announced yesterday.Premier Paula Cox told the assembled media at Alaska Hall that she was confident that the Progressive Labour Party offered the voters of the Opposition stronghold some “compelling” reasons to vote for the PLP.Senator Ingham retires in March as president and CEO of the Ascendant Group, which owns the utility company Belco.“Bermuda faces some unprecedented challenges and if I can contribute in some small way to enabling good solutions to be found then I find that to be something that’s of great appeal to me,” he told The Royal Gazette.Senator Ingham said that he had never been involved in any political party prior to his joining the PLP about nine months ago.“I’ve had an interest in politics for many years and when I assumed the responsibility of CEO of the Ascendant Group, it was clear that I could not hold a position in any party,” he said. “But that’s changed. The fact that I have announced my retirement, effectively I have no day-to-day responsibilities in the Ascendant Group of companies. That kind of opened the door to this opportunity.”Sen Ingham has served on two Government boards and said that he had found the ministers “very committed and keen to find new solutions” to Bermuda’s problems.“When the invitation came it was a no-brainer to take a step in this direction,” he stated.Asked what he thought his chances are in winning the Pembroke West seat, Senator Ingham said that depended on how well he is received by the voters there, and that he would be meeting as many as possible over the next few months.“I’m hoping and optimistic that the constituents will be open-minded to consider me a good candidate for the constituency.”In his prepared remarks to the media, the Senator said he would be bringing a business perspective to Government.“The world of government and business unfortunately are not the same but I think we all now realise that the success of our Island hinges on how well the relationships between the two can be advanced to better serve the interest of all people in Bermuda.“I clearly have a business view and I now look forward to integrating this view with those of my Government colleagues. I am confident we will find solid solutions.”Senator Ingham spent his youth in the Pembroke West area.