seat in Warwick West reminds us of the extraordinary political career of this man of Warwick.

First elected in 1963, Sir John will probably have served Parliament for 30 years before the next election is called. For Sir John, elections in the Warwick West marginal have never been an easy affair and the seat he has held for near 30 years is very much a personal seat as opposed to a UBP party seat.

He is not taking an easy ride to a seat because Warwick has never been easy.

Jack Sharpe has always understood the grass roots of Warwick and of Bermuda.

His political success has never diverted him from the concerns of the people of Warwick or from such Warwick institutions as the Lorraine Rest Home and St.

Mary's Church. While his moped has often been viewed as something of a joke, it has become a symbol of the fact that Jack Sharpe's personality has never changed despite being Premier of Bermuda and despite his title.

It is trite to say that he is the elder statesman of the UBP although it is true. It seems more relevant to say that he has become the conscience of the United Bermuda Party. He is naturally positioned in the centre of Bermudian politics, a position which has not always been comfortable, because it has placed him on the more liberal wing of his party and in natural opposition to the rightist elements. In that position Jack Sharpe has been the one who always thinks of the people when making decisions. He has taken great care to prevent his party from moving to any extreme and to make decisions he saw as best for Bermuda rather than politically expedient.

His political life has not always been without pain or sacrifice. He was a generally respected Minister of Finance and a logical successor as Premier to the late Sir Edward Richards. His service as Premier was traumatic at best. It was painful for him, rending for his party and the public method of his going was confusing for the Country. But it is the measure of the man that he soldiered on and continued to serve both Warwick and the Country. Many people would have quit politics in disgust but Sir John Sharpe, after a brief period on the Back Bench nursing some pretty severe political wounds, returned to the Cabinet and eventually served effectively as Minister of Home Affairs, twice.

Sir John now has a second appointment as Minister of Delegated and Legislative Affairs which places him, once again, in a position where he can offer general service to the Cabinet. If Bermuda were independent, he would be a logical Minister of Foreign Affairs or, perhaps, Governor General.

The value of his advice is that it comes without the baggage of ambition. Sir John Sharpe has had any number of Cabinet positions, he has been Premier and he has been knighted. There is no personal gain left for him in public service. He is thus free to serve and to advise as he sees best.

Often when we talk about Parliament we speak of the need for new and young members. We should not forget that Parliament also needs the benefits of wisdom and experience.