Government Senate Leader Michael Scott was last night nominated to be the Progressive Labour Party's (PLP) candidate for the upcoming Sandys North by-election.

After three rounds of voting, Mr. Scott, the Minister for Legislative Affairs, was declared the branch's nominee, winning over the members with a statement of humility and a promise to serve with integrity, loyalty and commitment.

The choice must now be ratified by the party's Central Committee. "Certainly the party is happy and elated tonight. As we have seen, as the party has always demonstrated, democracy reigns in the constituency and throughout Bermuda," said the PLP's public relations officer Scott Simmons.

Just over 100 of the district's 170 registered members turned up for the vote at Sandys Middle School.

Nine candidates contested the nomination, with the top three scorers - Sen. Scott, Ellen-Kate Horton and Melvin Simmons - moving on to the second round.

The final count was 59 votes for Sen. Scott against Ms Horton's 39 votes.

"The membership are pleased. They are anticipating a spirited campaign, and we are looking forward to joining the new candidate, once he is accepted, in mounting a campaign that is in the fine tradition of the PLP that will obviously result in our victory at the polls," Mr. Simmons continued.

"We join our members in our excitement as they express their appreciation to all the candidates who put their name forward and this constituency is prepared to join together as they demonstrate true democracy in constituency 36."

Candidates were each given three minutes to sell themselves to the membership. Sen. Scott told the members that he will deliver service with "loyalty, commitment and integrity".

"My immediate reaction is to be gratified by the mandate that has been given to me by this very strong turnout," Sen. Scott said.

"And I pledge to work diligently and expressing loyalty to the constituency and to the party leadership as the candidate that has been selected," he said.

"The atmosphere was exciting. It was a really large turnout - 102 people were in the room and 170 had been registered."

He would not be drawn on what his chances of success were against the United Bermuda Party's (UBP) Corin Smith, saying the selection process was not yet over.

"It must be noted that as I come to you asking for your support I do so realising that this constituency has been served by the former Progressive Labour Party (PLP) representative who can be described as one of our giants - who over so many years many of you have grown to know and trust. And so I stand before you humbled really - as a new quantity as I offer to you why I should be your choice," he told the room at the start of the process.

"Three minutes is enough time to share with you what it is I believe you should expect - indeed, demand, of your candidate - loyalty, commitment, integrity. Loyalty to the party and to its leadership and loyalty to the people of constituency 36. Commitment to the Progressive Labour Party ideal of social and economic justice for all. A commitment to hard work and sacrifice for the community of Sandys North and the party, a commitment to making regular access and contact with the constituency and to this end I pledge that I will be available at any time to you, and by regular monthly visits, to your doorsteps and by monthly surgery.

"Integrity - this quality is important as it is an ingredient that is typified by the courage to take hard decisions and not to go along with the crowd on the popular view. Political and professional integrity that ensures fair, courteous and just treatment of all with whom I come in contact," he said.

"It is these three qualities that I have over time learned served me in my professional and public life and I vow to continue to let integrity be my guide.

He said while some may consider the fact that he is already a Cabinet Minister a plus, "I prefer to reference any occasion where I can show that I am having a direct involvement of impact on the residents of Sandys North community. For example my providing management services for the Malabar Close Condo community. I end as I began - three minutes allows me to make the point why you should vote for me. Three words, I pledge will characterise my service. Loyalty, Commitment and Integrity."

Sen. Scott has made several attempts at elective office starting in 1985. His last bid was for Southampton West Central, or district 31, which he lost to the UBP's Jon Brunson who gained 496 votes to 367. He had previously contested three elections in the old Southampton West.

The by-election was made necessary by the death of former Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

Campaign chair Dennis Lister said he was pleased with last night's process. "It shows democracy is alive and well. I'm looking forward to the full machinery of the branch falling behind the candidate leading us to victory. Once again I feel confident that the constituency will send a PLP candidate to the House."