Political newcomer Lovitta Foggo, whom friends describe as a passionate grassroots activist, aims to provide the people of St. David's with fresh representation in the House of Parliament – election permitting.

Ms Foggo is representing the Progressive Labour Party and is seeking to oust current United Bermuda Party MP Suzann Roberts-Holshouser, a popular TV personality.

Under the old dual-seat system, the area was held by the PLP from 1998 to 2003, when Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser scraped a win by just 15 votes against Danvers Seymour.

Since the last election St. David's has seen an influx of some 339 registered voters, the highest on Island, most of whom, Ms Foggo believes are PLP supporters willing to toe party lines.

Ms Foggo has been a teacher for more than 25 years and currently teaches Biology at The Berkeley Institute, from where she graduated.

And, she doesn't hold back any criticism of the media over the way it has covered matters of politics – including this paper.

Responding to a written question which noted that in 2003 Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser defeated the then-PLP candidate by 15 votes and asked if she could match his total and swing a 15-vote majority, Ms Foggo said the question should have said Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser ONLY (her emphasis) won by 15 votes.

"This shows this newspaper's bias in favour of the UBP," she said.

"However, the changed voter environment has brought the influx of largely pro-PLP people into the constituency, including the newly enfranchised 'youth' vote.

"As well as those who were 14 to 17 years of age in 2003; the young college students back home for the holidays and/or to work. It is meaningless to base prospects at the polls on outdated 2003 statistics.

"Such methodology is utilised only to encourage and influence unsuspecting and uncommitted voters to vote UBP, particularly in so-called 2003 'marginals'.

"It is a programme of disinformation being orchestrated by the UBP and aided and abetted by The Royal Gazette."

Ms Foggo said she disagreed with suggestions that the fallout resulting from confidential leaked BHC files had turned voters off from the leadership of Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and possibly the party.

"I think Premier Brown is performing extremely well in his role and understands the benefit of team performance.

"Most people you meet on the doorstep are positive about the Premier and consider that allegations about the BHC are a smokescreen to cause the PLP to lose the election.

"The BHC matter has had the opposite effect. It has increased and galvanised people – particularly the PLP's black voters throughout all constituencies.

"Which, of course, includes St. David's. The ones who hold a negative view about the Premier generally parrot what they've heard or read in the media and when questioned cannot substantiate or justify their positions with hard, cold evidence or facts."

And according to her, the United Bermuda Party can expect to lose the general election and the seat of constituency number three.

"Mrs. Holshouser seems like a very nice person," she said. "However, her national profile and performance in Parliament on national and parochial matters has been lacklustre and somewhat unremarkable and ineffective.

"In St. David's she has failed to connect with the community and is seen as aloof," claimed Ms Foggo.

"For example she has only this week attempted to make any real effort at getting to know the 'new' residents at the Gulf Stream shelter, people who she should have recognised immediately as potential voters and as members of this community.

"Her late recognition of these new St. David's residents seems to have everything to do with the fact that they have now been registered by me.

"The UBP make a fairly good Opposition and together with Mrs. Holshouser swelling their ranks, they should continue for another five years in Opposition."

Ms Foggo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Education from Northeastern University.

She has two daughters, Amne and Zayna Foggo-Osseyran and the doting grandmother of Ari and Ayr Cannonier, according to her PLP profile.

Over the years, she has offered a "Girls' Club" experience to young females who attend high school, who gained first-hand knowledge from professional women, on the skills required in the workplace.

She told The Royal Gazette of her busy canvassing habits recently and of her interest in politics.

"I have taught for 25 years," she said, "As such, a considerable number of my voting constituents are former students.

"I have been 'in and around politics for a long time' – around 30 years. I have canvassed my constituency five times.

"I initially went out and presented myself as a possible candidate.

"I registered constituents and surveyed them for their concerns, issues and wishes. I was received with overwhelming support."