KINGSLEY Francis is no stranger to the campaign trail. The 71 year old has made several attempts at public office, putting his name forward as a candidate for the House of Parliament and as common councillor for the Corporation of St. George. Political ambition seems to run in the family. His daughter is none other than Progressive Labour Party MP and former Health Minister Patrice Minors, who will go head to head at the upcoming General Election with United Bermuda Party leader Michael Dunkley in a bid to regain her Smith's North seat. As that battle is played out however, Mr. Francis will be focusing on his own aspirations to be selected as an independent MP for St. George's South. In an advertisement taken out in the daily, he lists his primary concerns as the island's "seniors, health and housing" and having "the hotel in St. George's reopen". In order to be successful however, he must first convince the voters of Constituency Four why he would make a better MP than his challengers - Attorney General and PLP Senator Phillip Perinchief and Opposition candidate Donte Hunt. This week he spoke with Mid-Ocean News reporter Heather Wood about why he thinks that is possible.

Q: Why are you running?

A: The constituency that I'm running in (former Progressive Labour Party MP) Renee Webb has stepped down and it's a vacant seat. And so I decided to run there because I live in that constituency and I know most of the persons in that constituency.

Q: Have you ever run before

A: Yes, a few other times before (dual-seat constituencies were abolished in 2001 and) St. George's became a single-seat constituency. This will be the first time I've run since the change of the boundaries.

Q: Why as an independent

A: I have always run as an independent. I'm not associated with any party. Bermuda being democratic, it is my right to do so - to represent my constituency, my causes and the island as a whole.

Q: Have you started canvassing?

A: Yes, throughout the constituency and everyone in my constituency is very supportive of me. Q: Are you seeing more support than when you ran as a candidate before**?>*>* A: I would think so based on the personalities - or their appearances. It all seems to be different than it was before.

Q: Are there any particular causes you feel need to be addressed?

A: Our seniors and all matters concerning them. Also health and housing - all the matters I mentioned in the advertisement I took out (declaring myself as an independent candidate) in The Royal Gazette although there are of course, many other matters that are on the table that are of importance. I would exercise sound, discretionary judgement in all matters if was elected to the House of Assembly.

Q: Are those the concerns of the people in your constituency?

A: Yes, of course. I would say so based on their replies to (the issues listed in) my notice in the paper. They have questioned me relating to them and of course they are concerned about the issues. Even the Agent Orange issue (claims that Agent Orange was dumped and burned at Kindley Air Force Base) - that hasn't really been solved as yet. I don't think any report's come back with any definite reason or answers in relation to it. I think they sent some samples to Canada but (Works and Engineering Minister) Dennis Lister hasn't mentioned anything with regards to if there was any (presence) of Agent Orange throughout Southside and so forth. Holiday Inn has to be dealt with. Every time they seem to negotiate an agreement it seems to fall apart. I'd like to work to solving that problem. I think that's very important for St. George, to have that hotel rebuilt or whatever the case is in getting a hotel and tourists in St. George's at all times.

Q: How effective do you think you can be as an independent?

A: Just as effective as any other Member of Parliament - seeing the needs and wants and so forth of my constituents. Because I live in the area, the constituents are not that far whereby I can't contact them or they can't contact me at any time. So I feel I can serve them as well as (anyone else).

Q: Why are you bothering?

A: I think it's important to keep active and of course this is one way to keep active and to serve the people and the community. And I think I'm quite eligible to do so. I have some time on my hands and this is what I'm doing.

Q: Are you retired?

A: To some extent but I am occasionally doing a little work as part of the Community Educational and Development Programme at the educational community centre at Southside. I deal with small business law instructions.

Q: Are you a lawyer?

A: No, but I am reasonably knowledgeable in law having attended the University of Buckingham and studied law there.

Q: What do you think of the other candidates? Stiff competition?

A: It's not for me to characterise them. The seat was vacated by means of Ms Webb stepping down. The way I feel is that it could be anybody's seat and of course I am giving it all that I have to see if I can be elected there. But (the other candidates are) new, I'm new. Everyone would be new to that seat. As far as competition, I can only guess to some extent - if someone were taking polls or making an educated opinion it'd be different. But we'll see after the election is over.

Q: Why is it you think you have an understanding of the issues relevant to the constituency?

A: I've lived here in St. George's all of my life. In my early days I have been an independent plumbing contractor, I've driven a taxi as an operator/owner and I went to the schools in the area - East End and Francis Patton - and I'm certain that persons in all of these areas, well, I shouldn't be any stranger to them. And of course I worked at the Mid Ocean Club for a period of time. I don't think I'll be a stranger to anyone coming to the polling station.

Q: And if you're not elected will you campaign at a later election?

A: We'll have to wait and see how that goes.

Q: If you were to be elected, what issues would you prioritise?

A: I would address them as they come about and exercise a sound, discretionary judgement on all matters. There's always something that's going to arise in the many areas of these matters. Not too long ago a senior was mistreated a bit. Of course (the Government has) dealt with that but I would address things of that nature that arise at certain times if I'm elected. I don't have to be on any committees to voice my concerns in relation to those matters but those are some of the (concerns). I would exercise judgement in my capacity as a Member of Parliament.

Q: Are there any other issues that you feel need to be addressed?

A: Of course the education (system) - that gives me some concern. The assessment that was made on the curriculum and so forth, that the Government has brought in the American consultant (former education secretary under US President George Bush Henry L. Johnson) - things of that nature. I haven't fully studied the (state of) education but just from the overall heading in the papers it gives me some concern about the state and the way they are going about improving it. It should always be about increasing the standards. As far as doctors are concerned, the methods they have to be taught and every year technology and so forth has advanced. It's quite natural for them to improve themselves constantly. But our educational system, whereby they have brought in a new person from America to implement the findings, that gives me some concern.

Q: Why?

A: I don't have the (official) information in front of me I've just read the newspapers. So I don't want to make any wild statements but overall, it gives me some concerns as to how it's being done.

Q: As you're running as an independent did you ever consider joining the fledgling party, the All Bermuda Congress (ABC)?

A: No. I've never considered joining any other organisation but naturally if I'm elected I will have to be working side by side with all the other members of the House of Assembly.