They are the Class of '93 -- a baker's dozen of rookie MPs as diverse as Bermuda is tiny.

There is the bombast of Rev. Trevor Woolridge, the pomposity of the Hon.

Jerome Dill, the clarion calls of Ms Renee Webb, and the more somnolent tones of Mr. Rick Spurling.

Some, like the Hon. Wayne Furbert, went straight into Cabinet. Another, the Hon. Pamela Gordon, was a rookie MP and experienced Cabinet Minister at the same time. A third rookie, the United Bermuda Party's Mr. John Barritt, found himself juggling to control a slim and fractious majority as Government Whip and caucus chairman. A fourth -- the youthful Mr. Tim Smith -- was made deputy Speaker, a job that traditionally has gone to Parliamentary veterans.

Each of the 13 new MPs had adjustments to make. All said they were enjoying their new jobs, but several felt the work of the House could be completed more efficiently, with fewer lengthy debates.

"It's a little different than I expected, because I didn't expect to be a Cabinet Minister right away,'' said Mr. Furbert. "My life totally changed.'' As well as the long House sessions, Cabinet and committee meetings, and constituency work, Mr. Furbert was dealt the shock of a new and sharply-raised profile.

"It's amazing,'' he said. "You're walking along the street and someone says, `Mr. Furbert.' I think, `Gracious, this person knows me'.'' The Progressive Labour Party's Mr. Alex Scott, formerly the Opposition Leader in the Senate, found the adjustment from that chamber a difficult one.

"I certainly would not want to say (the Senate) is perfumed oblivion, but it is far more gentlemanly,'' he said. "The lower chamber is far more robust.

"You stand up and make your speeches, which takes a little getting used to after years of sitting at a round table.

"The interpolations are far more acidic.'' It was just the opposite for his colleague Mr. Woolridge, who also arrived in the House via the Senate. The Shadow Environment Minister said the changed style was more to his liking.

"The thing that I enjoy more about the House of Assembly than I do the Senate is the ability to stand to speak, whereas in the Senate one remains seated,'' he said.

"From my professional life as a clergyman, I'm far more comfortable on my feet than sitting down.'' The PLP's Ms Renee Webb said she had found constituency work very rewarding, but "in the House I would say I'm disappointed with the level of debate.

"I find that the issues are not dealt with, and the arguments put forward very often tend to be without substance. My biggest disappointment has to do with race and the black on black attacks that take place in the House.'' On the other hand, "I think I'm much more pleased with the newer politicians than the older ones,'' Ms Webb said. "I think the 13 new Parliamentarians in the House have made a difference in terms of how we respond to situations at hand and also how we deal with each other.

"We didn't come with the same baggage,'' she said. "In general, I think the 13 have fared well and made a difference in the House.'' Mr. Spurling of the UBP said the House had been "a big adjustment'' for him.

"I find it somewhat tedious and lengthy, unnecessarily so,'' Mr. Spurling said. The recent Budget debate, for example, was "extremely demanding,'' and "somewhat stressful at times''.

Bright spots were when MPs on both sides of the House "have made an effort to address the issues,'' as in the debates on AIDS and Independence.

Dr. Ewart Brown of the PLP said he was enjoying the experience, though "I do believe the system in an Independent Bermuda would have to be adjusted.

"If there is any way that we can take some of the adversarial requirements out, then we should,'' he said.

His new role was made easier in an unexpected way. "My wife (Priscilla) has been a major force in helping me adjust to the rigours of politics,'' Dr.

Brown said. "From helping me with analysis of issues, to putting together speeches.'' Mr. David Dodwell of the UBP also gave the experience the thumbs up. "I was particularly interested in the Budget debate,'' he said. "It allows you to see in a short period of time how the Government works financially.'' Also, "I enjoy the camaraderie,'' Mr. Dodwell said. "Unfortunately, what the public sees is the confrontation. But on occasions outside the chamber, I find the Opposition extremely warm and friendly.

"I'm not a heckler; it's not in my nature,'' he said. However, "Parliament probably couldn't work if all 40 of us behaved that way.'' Mr. Trevor Moniz, who sits to the immediate right of Mr. Dodwell, has plunged into all the House action.

He made an immediate impact on his arrival in the House when he was one of two Government MPs to vote with the Opposition for a secret ballot in the vote for Speaker. The move led to the upset election of the Hon. Ernest DeCouto over UBP nominee Dr. David Dyer. "I both enjoy the cut and thrust of the interpolating and heckling, as well as enjoying the substantive issues dealing with the legislation,'' he said.

The House is "complex,'' said Mr. Moniz, a lawyer. "There's an element of chaos. Things come up that aren't expected.'' As a rookie backbencher, "you feel a little bit lost sometimes''.

The PLP's Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams said it was a privilege to be a new MP.

"I always felt very strong about Bermuda, but the first day I walked into Parliament I felt, `Now I can give something back.' "I really felt that I was a part of the country.'' Since then, Mr. Williams has learned that being an MP "is an around the clock job''. Before the election, he remembered joking to his running mate Ms Jennifer Smith about how "you people make all that money on top of the hill.

"Now that I'm on top of the hill, it costs me more money than what I get paid,'' he said. In December alone, he said he spent about $2,500 on transportation and tickets and contributions to various groups.

Mr. Tim Smith -- who was propelled directly into the role of Deputy Speaker -- said the House had been "a much more positive experience than I originally anticipated''.

However, "I don't agree with the marathon debates,'' he said. Debating "in the wee hours of the morning becomes counter-productive''.

Because of the job he was handed, "I think it's been incumbent on me to be much more familiar with the rules of the House than the ordinary member''. He remains neutral when in the chair, but when seated in the Government benches, "I heckle and interpolate, yes,'' he said. "My skills are improving with each sitting.'' Rev. Trevor Woolridge.

The Hon. Wayne Furbert.

Ms Renee Webb.