Self-proclaimed priest Gershwyn Smith announced last week that he will run as an independent candidate in the Smith's South by-election on a platform of righteous government.

Mr. Smith, also known as High Priest Mohatma Shiloh Mahdi of the Young Progressives, is confident he will fill the seat left vacant by C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, who retired from politics ten days ago.

However, Mr. Smith's track record (he is a regular contestant at elections) suggests otherwise: He has run five times, in constituencies from Paget East to Smith's South, but never won more than a handful of votes.

Mr. Smith, 51, said he was more likely to succeed this time because "Bermuda is changing and wise men are leaning toward moral principles and godly ethics''. "Mankind has strayed away from the ethical principles upon which civilisation is founded and we must press on to restore those principles,'' he said.

He criticised the current and previous governments for "shy(ing) away from the ethics of righteousness by failing to address the necessary issues from a spiritual perspective''.

"People achieve degrees of higher learning but fail to include the spiritual development,'' he said.

But Mr. Smith declined elaborate when asked to discuss specific examples but said his ideology and philosophy was "above the level of politics as it stands at this time''.

He believes that his experience in the community -- he has advised Habitat for Humanity and The Woodshop Plus and launched several extracurricular programmes -- makes him a suitable candidate. In a press release from the three-member committee dedicated to getting him elected, Mr. Smith, who is also a construction worker, said: "From the boardrooms of some of the most powerful companies in Bermuda, I have always said: `Put God first and do what is right!'.'' But in a telephone interview with The Royal Gazette , Mr. Smith said he "preferred to keep (the names of the companies) anonymous at this time''.

Yet he was often vague about how his "righteousness'' would be put to practice, only saying that righteousness would be taught. He said one of his proposals -- posting the Ten Commandments in all schools in Smith's -- would help to achieve the harmonious and ethical community he desires.

"This is fundamental for character building and social development in our community,'' he said.

"Some children do not get these moral teachings at home. We as responsible community leaders are concerned that the commandments be taught to little children so that we will have a better community.'' Although Mr. Smith describes his platform as one of righteousness, certain proposals are reminiscent of old-school socialism.

"We believe that Government should initiate business ventures to raise revenue to assist in programmes,'' Mr. Smith said. The candidate, who is against raising taxes, said such methods could be used to fund a $1,500 annual pre-school voucher programme.

His platform also includes limiting cabinet positions to born Bermudians.

He said Bermuda is hypothetically at risk of political invasion under the current regulations.

"We could have an influx of wealthy foreigners and find ourselves in another phase of colonialism,'' he said.

Other proposals include mandatory insurance for dangerous dogs so that victims of attacks can be compensated.

Mr. Smith sees himself as a teacher, and he said a seat in Parliament would legitimise his teachings, reaching a wider audience and creating a more righteous Bermuda.

"To be elected to the House will put me in a more recognised position to carry out that work which is most necessary in community and government development.'' Mr. Smith said he has appealed for volunteers to help with his campaign effort. So far, the candidate has conducted a telephone survey of constituents in Smith's South, and will use the results to further develop his platform. He has not yet begun canvassing. Mr. Smith was at the centre of a controversy surrounding the March 1999 by-election in Paget West when he turned up four minutes late to hand in his nomination papers.

The Progressive Labour Party and the United Bermuda Party have not yet announced their candidates, nor has Premier Jennifer Smith announced a date for the by-election.

Gershwyn Smith