Michael Weeks' proud mother "just screamed and screamed and screamed" with excitement when she found out her son was the Progressive Labour Party's new MP-in-waiting.

Lois Weeks used to take young Michael to PLP meetings back in the 1960s when she was a Pembroke branch secretary and he was a nine-year-old boy.

Four decades later, this week's announcement that he will fight for late Minister Nelson Bascome's old seat — a battle it's virtually impossible for him to lose — marked the realisation of a lifelong dream for both Mr. Weeks and his mother.

"Oh my goodness! I screamed my lungs out when he told me," Mrs. Weeks told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"I'm elated that he's finally made it. He didn't want me to know he was excited, but I could tell he was. My daughter was with me and we just screamed and screamed and screamed."

Mr. Weeks, 48, a lifelong Pembroke resident and PLP branch chair in Pembroke West Central, was selected ahead of a host of high-profile party members who were said to be interested in running in the Pembroke East Central by-election on August 27.

He has a long history of working in the community, a requirement insisted upon by Constituency 16 chair Shirlene Bascome, the late Minister's wife, as well as residents in an area plagued by gang trouble.

Mr. Weeks was unavailable for comment yesterday because he is overseas while his wife undergoes hospital treatment.

Explaining his politics background, his mother said: "When I managed to send him to Howard University I told him it was time for him to decide what he wanted to major in. He said political science. I said, of course, 'You must be out of your mind!'

"I told him I was not going to let him work every day and night so that I could send him away, only for him to do political science. So in the end he did political science as his second choice.

"But that was then and it is a different climate now. He has done so much in the community. He's been for the people, he's done social work for 25 years."

Mr. Weeks has been involved with Western Stars Sports Club, Berkeley Educational Society Management Committee, the Residential Treatment Center for Boys, CARE Learning Centre, Pembroke Parish Council and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Pembroke Parish Council leader Charles Jeffers said residents were relieved the candidate did not appear to have been chosen because of 'the Ewart Brown factor'; Mr. Weeks is said to lean towards the Premier but is not known as a big supporter.

"I have heard more sounds of surprise "I have heard more sounds of surprise than people being against him," said Mr. Jeffers.

"I didn't hear anyone say: 'No way!' With a lot of the other candidates that would have been the response. It's been a surprise, but a pleasant one.

"The branch were looking for someone with whom they could identify. There was always talk of it being someone from the area, who knew the area.

"His family grew up around the corner from Friswells Hill. He went to school in the area and was part of a couple of organisations. He hasn't made a big impact locally, but it appears that he put the time in. I believe that he has the ability and he has his future."

Mr. Jeffers, former leader of the National Liberal Party and now a political commentator, said Mr. Weeks could soon fill a vacancy on Cabinet.

"There's not a whole lot to choose from at this stage. Not because of ability, but because of alienation and separation in Government," he said.

"He could very well find himself in a position. Coming in while in his late 40s, with an educational background and a community background, he could very well be a good Minister.

"I don't envisage him getting a portfolio like Education at this stage, but Sports, or Culture, or something of that nature: that could very easily happen."

Mrs. Weeks tends to agree: "He will be the most outstanding politician you have ever come across — from a mother's point of view."

• The United Bermuda Party is expected to unveil either Keith Young or Gina Spence-Farmer as its candidate this morning. The UBP only won 13 percent of the votes in Constituency 16 in the last election.