Raymond Tannock, one of the Island's newest Senators, will listen first before taking on his political opponents and, like Premier Alex Scott, is not averse to working with the United Bermuda Party on crucial national issues.

Mr. Tannock, 57, who signed his appointment papers to the Senate last week, was the Progressive Labour Party's Southampton East Central candidate for the July 24 poll.

But the owner of Esso City Automarket lost the contest to represent district 30 to UBP stalwart and former Tourism Minister David Dodwell by a mere 20 votes and vowed to try again in the future.

Of Dominican descent, his life as a businessman in Bermuda started as a taxi owner and operator.

He then worked as technical services manager for Fidelity International before launching out in business again.

“One's political philosophy is ingrained as you grow up... in what you've been through. I come from a family with roots in Dominica who has worked hard and done well with the intent to do the best that we can for the community,” he said.

“My grandmother raised me to a large extent - my mother was young so I lived with my grandmother and my mother... I'm not afraid of the kitchen, I'm not afraid to wash the dishes. So as far as my grandmother was concerned no person should be afraid to take care of themselves.”

Mr. Tannock, who demonstrated strong oratorical skills during the election campaign, made it clear that he will take the time to listen to his opponents.

“My grandmother's philosophy is you have to understand a person. In order to deal with a person you have to understand their viewpoint. Once you understand the viewpoint then you can argue the viewpoint. If you don't understand it you can't argue.”

A graduate of Berkeley, he grew up in the Warwick and Southampton area, has been a member of many government boards and is the past president of the Kiwanis Club.

In January this year he replaced Jan Spiering as the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bermuda College and is a current member of the Board of Governors of Mount St. Agnes Academy.

“This is only one Bermuda - we're very small and if we don't talk to one another, we don't take advantage of another person's talent or information. And that's what it's all about in my estimation.”