As a fledgling MP four years ago, Dean Foggo hung onto Dame Jennifer Smith's coattails as he attempted to make his way in the House of Assembly.

While his political career has been a learning curve since then, it's been a source of frustration for Mr. Foggo to watch countless Ministry portfolios go to party colleagues when he would gladly have embraced the challenge himself.

It's left him to assume the role of understated backbencher — often appearing to contribute little to debates in the House except when the subject turns to education and he can share his thoughts gleaned from years as a teacher at CedarBridge Academy.

But he warns voters not to underestimate his efforts since his narrow election victory in 2003.

"A quiet storm can still make its presence felt," he said. "Even though someone may be quiet, don't let that fool you."

Kim Swan, Mr. Foggo's rival candidate for the St. George's West constituency, is better known for his more vocal and occasionally noisy debating skills as Opposition Senate Leader.

However, Mr. Foggo said: "Kim Swan is a good guy, but he's just on the wrong team. I believe he has to be vocal.

"In my position as a backbencher, it's not my role to be main speaker. I just come in if I've got something to add to what the Minister is saying. That's one of the reasons people see a different presence. He's loud and I'm not.

"The benefit of voting for me is that when I speak, my voice is heard by the Government party. When he speaks, you hear noise."

He said if re-elected he would welcome a Ministry post as a "learning opportunity", with Community and Cultural Affairs — currently occupied by Wayne Perinchief — most suited to his approachable nature.

Mr. Foggo says he has aimed to listen to voters' concerns and asked for people to phone him with constituency problems so he can air their concerns to the relevant Minister.

He said he played a role in the Anchorage Villas development, claiming the land was being considered for sale until he and colleagues said it should be kept as housing stock.

He said he has successfully pushed for new road paving in some areas, and claimed is hoping to get a bus service set up into Ferry Reach.

On the reopening of the York Street Police station, pledged by Public Safety Minister David Burch this week following a similar promise from the United Bermuda Party last week, Mr. Foggo said: "I'm pleased that we can say the Police station is closer than before. I have heard about the concerns, I have passed them on to the Minister in question so they were aware."

Regarding the former Club Med resort which has been empty for two decades, he said he felt comfortable that something would come from Government's relationship with hotel group Bazarian.

According to the Progressive Labour Party's website, Mr. Foggo is a member of CedarBridge Academy's Board of Governors, St. George's Parish Council and the Development Applications Board. He is an active member of Richard Allen AME Church, where he holds the positions of Trustee Board member, Assistant Head Usher, Church Treasurer, Church Sexton and Unity Choir Member.