As politicians gear up for the Throne Speech, MP Jamahl Simmons will be returning to his roots when he takes his seat on Friday as a Progressive Labour Party member.

Mr. Simmons, who quit the United Bermuda Party in February after a damaging race row, is back in the PLP fold, years after working behind the scenes to help the party to power in 1998.

His father Lionel Simmons, a PLP MP who joined the NLP, had warned his son not to make the switch to the UBP.

"He's very supportive and is very proud now I am back with the PLP. He went back to the PLP around 1990 I think," Mr. Simmons said.

In the past he has been a harsh critic of the PLP — accusing it of talking black but not acting black, but Mr. Simmons said from now on he will voice any criticism of the PLP internally as his parliamentary career winds down ahead of his retirement at the next election.

And he said his new colleagues had been welcoming, with Dale Butler the first to make the approach when his relations soured with the UBP.

"Being embraced is wonderful, when you are made to feel welcome and part of the team," he said.

"In spite of the fact that you spent the past several years working against them, it really is very touching. It really speaks to the strength of the organisation."

He will be attending weekly caucus meetings and has already attended conference and worked with a few branches.

"I have known most of the MPs all my life," he said. "I have always had a good relationship with them. I gave a Throne Speech before I even left the UBP which they all applauded."

And he said he is a big admirer of Dr. Brown.

"The thing I like is you know where he is coming from. He is not someone who will smile in your face and then talk about you behind your back," Mr. Simmons said.

"If he likes what you are doing, he tells you. If he doesn't, he tells you. You are very clear where you stand with him."

He's not sure whether he will be sitting in his old seat between the UBP and spillover PLP MPs — or whether he will symbolically move to the Government side. The latest indications are he will indeed "cross the aisle".

But either way it will be an exciting day as he said the opening of Parliament was the best day of the year as Government lays out its plans for the parliamentary calendar.

"It's the period when you get the sense of what's coming down the pipe. You think 'how do I support this?, how do I criticise this?, how do I challenge this?' It really gets your mind thinking about what's coming next."

He said this Throne Speech would be the first real one for Dr. Brown, who had to hastily throw one together last year days after ousting Alex Scott in the leadership contest, and Mr. Simmons will not be surprised to see Dr. Brown laying down clear goals and priorities in major areas such as education and economic empowerment.

It could be the last Throne Speech before the election.

"I am here until the Premier turns out the lights," said Mr. Simmons, who has not ruled out a return to politics five years down the line.

An astute observer of the political scene he won't be drawn on election predictions.

"My view on the election is those who know, don't tell and those who tell don't know."

And until the election is called, he will be filling in where needed although he won't be spilling out tips on what his old colleagues are about to do.

"They don't need me to do that. The UBP is very predictable — it doesn't require much insight. I am taking the attitude I am not pushing into anybody's place. I am here to help and have helped out where needed."

He said it was encouraging more young people were coming through to form the next generation of politicians.

"I have had a great run," he said. "I would have like to have served one more term. I am proud of the fact that I really stuck to my integrity.

"You look at a lot of MPs and they don't come with an agenda of things they want the country to move forward on.

"When I spoke it was for things that were good for the country — that went beyond mere party platforms.

"I feel pretty good about it. A lot of people sit in Parliament and you don't even know they are there. People definitely know I am there."

He said all candidates needed something they were passionate about.

"There are not enough people championing issues," he said. "There is not enough passion. Agree with her or not, Renee Webb was passionate about the issue of gay rights. Agree with me or not, I was passionate about economic empowerment. But there is a very, very short list."

The economic empowerment issue is more topical than ever with the PLP likely to table the Workforce Equity Act this session which will fine companies who block the progress of black Bermudians.

Mr. Simmons said: "If we want race relations to improve we have to make eliminating barriers a priority. Today's generation isn't divided by physical segregation but by economic segregation."

He said interracial relationships and interaction are on the rise but still the glaring inequities in income, regardless of the level of education, remain.

"This condition will continue to divide us into the next generation if it isn't addressed now," he added.

And he said he was disappointed but not surprised that the UBP opposes the PLP's Equity Bill.

"Even if I hadn't left the UBP, as a black person, I couldn't in good conscience oppose something that is so clearly intended to benefit qualified black Bermudians by guaranteeing equal access to opportunity.

"What is doubly unfortunate is that they trumpet poverty and racial discrepancies when it is convenient but isn't able to come up with an attractive alternative to improve the condition of hard-working black Bermudians specifically."

And he urged voters to use their only voice when the polls finally do open.

"If you don't vote you are powerless," he said. "I can tell you from experience if you tell me you are not going to vote why am I going to waste my time talking to you?

"You are really a waste of time. I might as well concentrate on someone else. I can't do anything for you and you can't do anything for me. It is cold and hard but that is reality.

"When people know your vote is up for grabs they will work harder and perform better. I would encourage everyone that staying home is not an option."