The Royal Gazette today begins a series of profiles on the candidates in the November 6 Pembroke West by-election caused by the resignation of Youth and Sport Minister David Dyer. First up is the Progressive Labour Party's Rodney Smith, who will face the National Liberal Party's Graeme Outerbridge and favourite for the rock solid United Bermuda Party seat, Erwin Adderley.

Training in social work and a desire to help people propelled Pembroke West PLP candidate Rodney Smith into politics.

He said: "It just happened that way -- I've had plenty of training as to how to tailor human services or social services to meet human needs.

"It's just grown out of listening to people talk about their varied problems and how we could solve these problems.'' But Mr. Smith's path to the PLP and Pembroke West was not a straight one.

He was an approved candidate for the United Bermuda Party in the early '90s -- but felt the party did not match his personal policies.

And he was not so much converted on the road to Damascus, but on the roads to Bermudian beaches.

Mr. Smith said: "This was back when I was active in fighting for the opening of the Tribe Roads so Bermudians could have open access to the beaches.

"My continued campaigning for the rights of the little man did not fit well with the appeal they wanted to put out, so we parted ways. The day I resigned from the UBP, I joined the PLP.

"The type of concerns I was voicing my opinions about was more reflected by the type of people the PLP represented -- the man in the street.

"I can identify with these needs and the type of concerns I was voicing opinions about were the type of people the PLP represented.'' A well-known voice on radio chat shows, Mr. Smith claims to have used the opinion forums as a barometer of the public viewpoint.

For the voters of Pembroke West, he said: "I take a message of hope, hope being the opposite of hopelessness, being unable to see a better tomorrow.

"My message of hope is that things will be better if we work together and pull together. If you're optimistic about the future, things do get better.'' He added that the other main plank of his campaign was empowerment -- which he pointed out was the opposite of powerlessness.

Mr. Smith said: "That means inability to influence things which affect your everyday life. When you empower someone, you equip them with the necessary skills, training and knowledge so that they can have an impact on the things which affect them.'' But Mr. Smith admits he faces an uphill struggle in a seat regarded as a Government stronghold.

He said: "The PLP has lost two to one in the past, but I believe things are changing.

"I'm going to stomp the ground, knock on the doors and win over the people.

For a long time the people of Pembroke West have been taken for granted. This time round, the voters feel different. They want a candidate who is prepared to work for their vote.

"I know this is the message I'm receiving at the doorsteps. It's not going to be a shoe-in for the UBP candidate. They are looking at each candidate on his own merits and what he brings to the political arena.'' RODNEY SMITH: Progressive Labour Party. A 37-year-old social work and theology graduate turned developer. Lives in Warwick with wife and three young children.

Rodney Smith Graphic file name: RODSM