the candidates in the November 6 Pembroke West by-election caused by the resignation of Youth and Sport Minister David Dyer. Featured today is Graeme Outerbridge of the National Liberal Party. He will face the Progressive Labour Party's Rodney Smith and the favourite for the rock solid United Bermuda Party seat, Erwin Adderley.

A snapshot of Bermudian politics shows a clear image of a future for Bermuda's bridesmaid party.

And globe-trotting professional photographer Graeme Outerbridge hopes to develop credible support for the National Liberal Party in the run-up to a General Election.

Speaking in the wake of a poor showing for the party at the last outing in Devonshire South, Mr. Outerbridge said: "We thought it was very important to show our candidates' continued commitment to offer choices.'' And he flashed a warning at the Opposition Progressive Labour Party as a target for the NLP.

Mr. Outerbridge said: "You have to look at a party which, for 30 years, has not been successful in gaining Government. The difficulty for us is to get that critical mass where you can make that political break.'' But he also had a message for the ruling United Bermuda Party, based on the May UK General Election -- and a reasonable showing by the UK's third party, the Liberal Democrats.

Mr. Outerbridge said: "It's a very interesting atmosphere if you look at what happened in the UK.

"All sorts of Conservative areas which had been bedrock seats swung away from the Government. You have to realise that there has been no effective change of Government since Bermuda got the plural vote.'' He added: "There is a growing third political option in Britain and the development of wide political choices.'' Mr. Outerbridge, a founder member of the NLP, which was born out of a split in the PLP, has been unsuccessful in several outings for his party.

But he said: "People should consider me on my political track record -- I've been a very committed and active politician, regardless of being elected or not.'' He explained he had been heavily involved in getting lifeguards on Bermuda's beaches and instrumental in ex-NLP MP Gilbert Darrell's breaking of a union deadlock in a motion in the House of Assembly on a Select Committee on Labour -- in between international assignments as a published photographer.

Mr. Outerbridge added: "I got involved in the NLP because I felt it was the first opportunity to break this gridlock of politics based on race.

"It's the first really issue-based political group of people who came together to pursue the best issues for the community.

"The trouble is, it's been like a vice -- with us in the middle -- which tends to polarise the vote to make very hard for a third party.'' But he said: "From my point of view, I'm going to the area to carry my party flag and philosophy, which is offering a choice. If they choose to take it, I'll be diligent in trying to represent them in a new and refreshing way.

"Having come close in an election and lost twice, it's very hard to lose and not be disappointed, but we have to pick it up -- we're in this for the long haul.'' GRAEME OUTERBRIDGE: National Liberal Party. A 45-year-old globe-trotting professional photographer and one-time joint winner of the Outstanding Bermudian Award. Father of three and lives in Southampton.

Graeme Outerbridge Graphic file name: GOUTER