Some might think all politicians' speeches should be limited to 140 characters — but backbencher Terry Lister appears to be Bermuda's first to start giving bite-size comments on social networking phenomenon Twitter.

The Progressive Labour Party leadership candidate has joined the online craze as he tries to court a young audience in the race to replace Premier Ewart Brown.

It means he's able to send mini-messages to fellow Twitterers, keeping them up to date with his campaign as well as offering random thoughts of the day.

Since signing up last week, Mr. Lister has Tweeted how the PLP has had "12 years to sort out how to do it, now we must do it for everyone"; that Bermuda needs to get "past the divisiveness and working to bring the races together"; and what turned out to be a woefully optimistic "A beautiful day for cricket! Looking for a win from Somerset!" early on Friday morning.

Twitter allows people to broadcast their every move through 140-character messages on the internet or their cell phone. By last night, Mr. Lister had built up a following of 60 people.

He told The Royal Gazette: "I am using Twitter because I, the former Telecommunications Minister, have embraced technology and I know this site is one way to reach a diverse audience.

"What I like most about Twitter is that one is allowed to express oneself in 140 characters or less which allows you to communicate briefly and succinctly.

"I also have a Facebook page which was launched over the weekend. Between the two I have the ability to communicate with a savvy young audience. I want to be clear in my intent to communicate with all of Bermuda."

Deputy Premier Paula Cox, the hot favourite to win at October's PLP delegates' conference, is expected to formally declare her intentions to compete for the leadership very soon. Backbencher Dale Butler has also said he's interested in the post.