Pembroke community leader Charles Jeffers last night urged the Progressive Labour Party to pick its replacement for Nelson Bascome for "the right reasons" — and not make it all about Premier Ewart Brown.

Families in Pembroke East Central desperately need an MP who will help them claim back their area following a spate of shootings and gang trouble, according to Pembroke Parish Council leader Mr. Jeffers.

But as the PLP prepares to choose its candidate for the August 27 by-election this evening, some residents fear the dominant factor in the party's selection could be whether or not their new MP supports or opposes Dr. Brown.

Mr. Jeffers told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I'm really hoping the right decision is made for the right reasons. In other words, whoever is chosen is not chosen simply because they are a supporter of the Premier or because they are totally against the Premier.

"We are looking for the right person to do the job in the community. Take the personalities out of the picture. If we take the personalities out of the picture, then maybe something can get done."

Education expert Lou Matthews, 39, is understood to be the branch's hot favourite for the position, with PLP assistant treasurer Charles Clarke also confirming his interest.

However, among the dozen or so people said to have put their names forward for the virtually certain PLP seat are a host of characters who are said to either be firmly for or against the Premier.

The likes of Senators Marc Bean, David Burch and Walton Brown and race advisor Rolfe Commissiong would likely give Dr. Brown an easier ride in the House of Assembly, where he has lost the backing of many PLP colleagues because of his controversial actions this summer.

Meanwhile, others such as former Attorney General Philip Perinchief and Civil Service boss Kenneth Dill have much-publicised reasons to add to the anti-Dr. Brown sentiment.

But Mr. Jeffers, the former leader of the National Liberal Party, argued: "One would not be telling the truth if they are saying Dr. Brown's never done anything right. One would not be telling the truth if they are saying he's never done anything wrong. We just need a person who supports the right things."

Constituency 16 residents speaking to this newspaper yesterday echoed branch chair and Mr. Bascome's wife Shirlene's view that her husband should be succeeded by a people's person.

Key issues mentioned included gang trouble, particularly in the St. Monica's Road area, drug use on parks, Marsh Folly Dump, derelict wasteland and housing shortages.

Sasa Fras, 50, said: "We want someone who knows what's happening in the so-called ghetto; someone that knows the needs of the community: housing, schooling, violence."

Mr. Fras claimed some two-bedroom houses in the area have up to ten expatriates living in them; meanwhile he has been living in a tent on the Dump for the past three years because he can't afford the high rent.

He said Mr. Perinchief, Sen. Bean and Dr. Matthews would be good candidates because they would get to grips with the area's challenges.

Of other possible candidates, he argued Sen. Burch wants to do too much himself; and he doesn't like Mr. Commissiong's public comments.

Mr. Fras said that while the Premier remains quite popular in the area, he wouldn't want an MP who just props him up, explaining: "We don't want someone who's just under the wings of Ewart and agrees with everything he says."

Resident Alan Trott gave his backing to Mr. Clarke, who is well-known in the area and whose family owns Clarke's Tuxedo Shop.

"I know he lives just up the road; his brother is a member of Devonshire Rec.," said Mr. Trott. "We need someone who whenever he comes down he can come to people's homes and he knows who they are."

On the idea of a local candidate, Mr. Jeffers said: "We have to have a situation where people feel comfortable with the person with whom they are dealing.

"I'm not saying this is the only time it can work, but a person who comes from the area has to have a leg-up on someone who isn't.

"If a guy walks in my house and he knows me on a first-name basis, or we grew up on the same hill, or his father grew up with my father ... it may help if I am dealing with someone I can trust, especially when it's a subject where you might be worried about repercussions."

He said constituents need an MP who would help them claim back the community, adding: "We believe that a strong leader could help to mobilise the community and galvanise neighbourhood watches; get everyone looking out for each other again."

The PLP's Central Committee will meet today to select its candidate, following a recommendation from the branch. Chairman David Burt has stated the process will be completed today, and an announcement made tomorrow.

Others mentioned in speculation include lawyer Elizabeth Christopher and PLP stalwart Michael Weeks.

Mr. Bascome won the last election with 87 percent of the votes, against Keith Young of the United Bermuda Party. Mr. Young and former Senator Gina Spence-Farmer are likely candidates for the UBP.