A Senator running as the United Bermuda Party candidate in a forthcoming by-election has pledged to be the "eyes, ears and voice" of the community.

Saying he will serve constituents in the same way he runs his business, that is "24/7, 365 days a year", Charlie Swan said: "They can get me anytime."

Mr. Swan faces Progressive Labour Party Senator Marc Bean and Independent candidate Raymond Davis in the battle for Southampton West Central on December 4.

The by-election follows the resignation of UBP MP Jon Brunson from the seat, which was won by a 142-vote majority in the 2007 general election.

In that same election Mr. Swan unsuccessfully challenged Education Minister Randolph Horton for Southampton West, but has since been appointed to the Senate for the Opposition.

Mr. Swan said yesterday: "The Senate has been a great testing and proving ground. I've led on things like telecommunications, and education as it pertains to national training.

"I'm passionate about education, especially to do with technical training. I'm passionate that we should have the facilities in place for our young people to become the best they can be, both in Bermuda and the rest of the world."

Mr. Swan says he has been appointed to the Joint Select Committee for Education and is on the Board of the Bermuda Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Private Bills Committee.

"I've also done work on the National Training Board, as an occupational advisor for plumbing, and am a past director of the Construction Association of Bermuda," he said.

He is the managing director of Batson Swan Mobile Plumbing and Heating, which was founded by his late father Charles F.B. Swan in 1963.

Mr. Swan lives in Southampton with his wife Jenny and has two sons, Ryan and Nathan, both in their twenties.

Growing up in the West End of the Island, he attended Southampton Glebe Primary School (now Dalton E. Tucker Primary) and Warwick Academy. After studying for his A levels in England he then graduated with a Business degree from Acadia University, Canada.

A keen football fan, he played football for Ireland Rangers and also helped with the football academy at White Hill.

Mr. Swan has also been involved with the Sea Cadets since the 1970s, and is a member of the West End Sailboat Club.

He helped to initiate the Bermuda Youth Sports Programme and is a past President and current member of the Sandys Rotary Club. He is also a Trustee of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

Mr. Swan, 52, said: "I cast my hat into the ring of the political arena and feel I have some good reasons why I am the best candidate. I think I bring some valuable skills to the table."

He said these included running a business, with the "managing and motivating of employees".

"We are a 24/7, 365 days a year company and that's how I run my life," said Mr. Swan. "For the constituents of Southampton West Central, that's the way I plan to run it.

"I will fight for them for the issues close to their hearts. I will be there and will fight for their needs."

Mr. Swan said that not only did the constituency face national issues such as crime, education and concerns with the economy, but locally, residents were concerned about development.

"In my constituency, people are concerned about the environment and over-development on South Shore. There's due to be hotels built further east in Warwick, so it's important we maintain Southampton as a rural area and preserve it that way for residents."

Mr. Swan said he was "feeling confident" of winning on December 4. On the UBP, he said: "I believe the UBP is still a great party.

"There is a great team of people that comprise our Parliamentary group.

"Yes, we have some issues and we are working on them, but the people of Bermuda need to know the UBP is still the Party that is out there working for them."