Elvin James says he isn't daunted by the likely pressures as he becomes the seventh Progressive Labour Party Education Minister in ten years.

Mr. James, who replaces Randy Horton who was sacked this week because Premier Ewart Brown said he was making too little progress, said: "There is pressure in any new job, especially when you have the desire to do a good job.

"I played cricket for years and years, I felt pressure every time I went to the wicket, every time I bowled. But you need a certain amount of pressure in order to perform at your best.

"In education when you implement change it always takes time before you see the results."

He said he wouldn't be sure what the biggest challenges in the Ministry would be until he had been briefed.

A former teacher, who worked at Bermuda Institute and Elliott before becoming the educational vocational officer in the prison service, Mr. James said he was returning to his first love by rejoining education.

First elected to Parliament in 1998 alongside running mate Dr. Brown, Mr. James remained on the backbenches and left Parliament at the following election.

However he was brought back into the fold when Dr. Brown became leader, and won the Warwick North Central seat when sitting MP George Scott was shunted aside.

Joining the Cabinet for the first time is Glenn Blakeney who becomes the new Environment and Sports Minister, replacing Mr. James.

The Premier said Mr. Blakeney, who was sworn in yesterday, was the best candidate for promotion.

"These decisions are always up for review when we see how a person is doing but I think he will be an outstanding Minister."

First elected for Devonshire North Central in 2003, Mr. Blakeney clashed early on with Party bosses over a controversial housing scheme for Prospect, but is now considered the ultimate Party loyalist.

In the run up to the 2006 leadership election he accused Dr. Brown of running a campaign by stealth as he defended sitting Premier Alex Scott but since then Mr. Blakeney has become increasingly aligned with Ewart Brown and was promoted to whip.

He said he didn't want to talk too much about the challenges ahead until he had been fully briefed by department staff but he added: "I am excited about the sustainable growth of Bermuda as well as youth, and of course sports."

The sports community has been concerned that long-promised building projects are in jeopardy after Government cutbacks across the board.

But Mr. Blakeney said: "There is an imminent announcement, possibly on Monday, that will be significant for sports enthusiasts." However he refused to elaborate.

Sports are a natural interest – his eldest son, who is named after him, is a star of the Bermuda Cricket Team, while Mr. Blakeney played with and coached Devonshire Colts football team.