new MPs following the resignations of former Premiers David Saul and Sir John Swan. In the fourth in a six-part series, Raymond Hainey profiles Charles Jeffers, who is running for the National Liberal Party in Devonshire South.

Only one political party in the Devonshire South by-election has staked its future on the result.

And Charles Jeffers, chairman of the National Liberal Party, has opted to put himself in the firing line for a make-or-break run.

Mr. Jeffers admitted that a good showing in former Premier David Saul's old seat was vital to the future of the party.

But he was upbeat about his chances in what is regarded as a United Bermuda Party stronghold.

Mr. Jeffers said that -- on the face of it -- the UBP were in an unassailable position.

But he added that the two Opposition Progressive Labour Party candidates at the last election in 1993 polled more than 500 votes each, while the UBP winners netted just over 1,000 votes apiece.

He said: "A very small swing could turn it around completely.'' Mr. Jeffers added that the PLP showing came despite the party not hitting the streets with any great conviction -- while the NLP is pulling out all the stops.

He said: "My personal decision to run is because we believe that this is going to be probably our last opportunity to really make a good showing in order to boost our supporters and potential candidates for the next General Election.

"And, when the chips are down, a good leader, instead of sending the troops, must lead from the front.'' Mr. Jeffers, 55, leads a party born out of internal strife in the PLP in the 1980s. He is a businessman, marketing scholarship plans for youngsters and insurance.

And he said he was investing his hopes in a campaign strategy based on social issues -- drugs, crime and the decline of family values.

He noted one candidate for the by-election placed a lot of emphasis on his local roots while another stressed environmental issues.

But Mr. Jeffers insisted: "A lot of the environmental issues are very serious, but they have to be a lower priority than the social issues.

"We believe if we do not take some very meaningful steps to resolve social issues in this Country, all of the work done to get our economic house in order in international business, tourism and local business will go for naught. All of that could be destroyed very quickly because of social unrest.

"Drugs and crime are symptomatic of the larger problem and the larger problem stems from the loss of family values and the inability of parents, a lot of them young parents, to really bring their children up in such a way that they can avoid a lot of the pitfalls they face today.

"We also have a lot of young men who seem to have got themselves into trouble and Government does not seem to be handling this well.'' Mr. Jeffers said party politics meant both the major parties were more interested in self-promotion rather than cooperating in the best interests of the Country.

But he added: "The feeling in the NLP is that there must be more cooperation for the good of the Country.

"One point I want to get across to the people is that I believe the time has come to look past the party label -- you have to look at the people who are saying they want to be their representatives. People have to ask what qualifies them to make this request, what they have done on the issues and how they stand on the issues -- not the party's stance, but their own stance.'' Tomorrow: Progressive Labour Party candidate in Devonshire South Danny Farias.

FACT FILE Age: 55 Profession: Businessman Political history: Former PLP Parliamentary candidate and founding member of the NLP. Chairman since February, 1996.

"When the chips are down, a good leader, instead of sending the troops, must lead from the front.'' SOCIAL ISSUES come first, says Charles Jeffers