The ruling Progressive Labour Party will increase its quota of members in the House of Assembly by one member if the community comes out to vote in the upcoming by-election, party leaders said yesterday.

This was the message from Premier Jennifer Smith as she announced that the party had chosen entrepreneur and "hard working common man" Carvel Vanputten as its candidate.

Mr. Vanputten touted his roots in the community - he grew up there and still lives there - his community activism and an intimate knowledge of the people and their concerns.

The party "knew that nobody had to hold my hand and take me around to meet the residents of the community," he said. "They have been my friends and neighbours - for all of my life."

He described himself as a "hard-working common man. I hold two jobs and run my own business. Yes I know what it is to grow up sitting on the wall with carpenters, masons and plumbers - from Pembroke West. Now today the wall-sitter may have changed. However, I do believe that I can still reach him and talk to him. I know my community - and I know and live their hopes and concerns. Therefore I am aware of the young men who cannot get jobs in the construction industry, of the young single mothers who need housing. I know the struggle between the environmentalists and the fishermen who cannot agree about the dredging of Spanish Point.

"I understand the fishermen and boat enthusiasts who want a dock on in Mills Creek and an improved search and rescue system for the men who spenzd their lives at sea." He added he understood concerns about crime in the community and is an active member of the Police Advisory Committee and helped to start the Crime Stoppers organisation, with Pembroke West Central MP Wayne Perinchief.

Mr. Vanputten is a trained jeweller and runs his own business, Carvel Jewellers on Court Street. He also works in the hospitality industry.

"There are hundreds of workers who, like myself, have ideas on how we can make our tourist package a better product," he said."As chief shop steward, I have shared my views with my employers and with the union. I have made recommendations to try and stop Bermudians from becoming frustrated and leaving the industry, just as I have urged that the views of the Bermudian employer be considered - as management work to make our industry more efficient."

He added that there is "no reason for a voter in Pembroke West to now choose to be represented by the Opposition.

"As a member of the governing party, I can get things done. Scoring political points with politics and petitions might make the gossip columns, but it won't solve problems and address issues."

Mr. VanPutten first went into business for himself at the age of 21, when he opened a Church Street boutique and later started a restaurant on Cox's Hill.

This is his fourth attempt at being elected by the constituents of Pembroke West.

Mr. VanPutten faces the Opposition United Bermuda Party's Jamahl Simmons in the contest. The National Liberal Party has not yet named a candidate. Nomination day is next Tuesday.

The Premier dismissed speculation on broadcast media that a delay in announcing the candidate meant that the candidate would only have time to canvass PLP supporters in Pembroke West.

"First of all, Carvel has been canvassing and living among the people of Pembroke West all his life. No one has to take him around to meet his neighbours," she said.

"Secondly, if Carvel were to only concentrate on 'those who support the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party' - according to our most recent poll, this would be the majority."

Public relations officer, Glenn Blakeney, told The Royal Gazette that there had been no "real delay".

"We just wanted to give our attention to the machinery in the constituency that is required to run a first-class campaign. As a result we were very actively involved in what might be termed pre-canvassing over the last several days. We also traditionally present our candidates through the Premier who of course just recently returned from overseas and had a very busy itinerary."

Responding to a reporter's question, national campaign chairman, Delaey Robinson said that it could not be assumed that the constituency is a United Bermuda Party stronghold.

He pointed out that Mr. VanPutten had made inroads for the PLP in the constituency.

"We'd like to say that it was a UBP stronghold... We can't speak of it as a UBP stronghold anymore."

Ms Smith said she did not necessarily view the election as a barometer of any sort.

"I don't expect that the outcome to be anything other than the constituency is certainly rapidly becoming a marginal. And I would expect that this time - as St. George's North turned once, you don't count that as a stronghold when it turns the first time but certainly I think we're on the verge of that. And I have no indication other than Mr. VanPutten will become a member of Government very shortly."

She added : "Certainly whether or not people come out and vote is a very important part of the process... And we will be doing everything in our power, including knocking on every door to ensure the results come as projected."