The man who almost unseated former Premier Jennifer Smith from the House of Assembly was yesterday named an Opposition Senator.

United Bermuda Party Leader Grant Gibbons said that businessman and St. George's alderman Kenneth Bascome will continue to be an advocate for St. George's residents in the Upper Chamber.

Mr. Bascome was named with Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swan and Leonard Santucci as the Opposition Senators at a Press conference at party headquarters.

"It is a pleasure to announce that Kenneth Bascome will be serving in the Senate," said Dr. Gibbons.

"He is a self-made man who continues to give back to his community, reaching out to our young people and helping many of them to turn their lives in a positive direction.

"He is outspoken and will use that strong voice as an advocate for St. George's.

"His common sense approach to problem solving will serve the people well as he represents them in the Senate."

Mr. Bascome, once a long-serving member of the Progressive Labour Party came in just eight votes behind then Premier Jennifer Smith in the three-horse General Election race to represent St. George's North in Parliament.

He is the newest Senate member - Senators Swan and Santucci were Senators before the July poll.

Yesterday's announcement completes an all-male cast in the Senate.

Governor Sir John Vereker, however, is yet to name three independent senators. "The people of Bermuda have elected a number of very strong women in the House - you have to look at the overall team," said Dr. Gibbons when asked about the lack of women in his Senate team.

He said he had been challenged by the "abundance of talent" available to fill just three positions.

The three UBP Senators will face off against the ruling party's Michael Scott, Raymond Tannock, Walter Roban, Larry Mussenden and Reginald Burrows.

"Our presence will make the work of the Government a little bit harder because we bring diversity as well to the table," said Reverend Santucci. "We don't anticipate being cornered at any time."