It is said a week is a long time in politics -- and in Bermuda at General Election time, every day seems endless for the 89 contenders for a seat in Parliament.

And the would-be political newcomers across the Island are working overtime in the run-up to polling day.

So The Royal Gazette asked three of the Parliamentary hopefuls exactly how a day in the life of a candidate pans out as the Island counts down to the November 9 polling day.

Southampton West PLP candidate and lawyer Michael Scott said he tried to kick-start his day with a workout.

"I insist on starting my day at the gym,'' he said. "I try to get there by 7.30 a.m.

"Even if I am elected, I want to maintain my fitness regime because I believe that having a healthy mind and body is very important.'' But, even before Election Day was announced, Mr. Scott said his days were crammed with legal and political duties.

"Prior to the election, I would go from the gym usually to a 9 a.m. court session either in Magistrates' Court or a chambers session in the Supreme Court,'' he explained. "My practice is in Somerset, so a lot of my time was spent commuting.

"If I was scheduled for a trial I would stay in court until the matter was finished. After that it was back to my law office to do paper work.

"Evenings I would get out and meet the people.'' Mr. Scott said his duties within the PLP also kept him very busy.

"I was the public relations officer last year and I was involved in the PLP political planning committee connected to the election campaign. There were also general party meetings, so the last 18 months have been very busy days for me.

"As PR officer I would also have to accompany the leader, Jennifer Smith, to engagements. It was very beneficial for me because I got out into the community visiting schools, attending luncheon engagements and banquets.'' But once a polling date was announced by the Premier, Pamela Gordon, Mr. Scott said his life has become hectic.

"Since the election has been called there has been an increase in political meetings,'' he said. "I reserve canvassing for afternoons and evenings.

"I have a busy political and legal schedule.'' Despite his feverish pace, Mr. Scott said he still managed to combine the rough and tumble of politics with the spiritual world -- a tenor's spot in the Allen Temple AME Church choir.

"Singing is another form of fitness and it is good for the soul,'' he pointed out. "I am determined to keep it up, just like my physical fitness.'' UBP St. George's North candidate Kim Swan said when he first entered politics, two-years ago, he would canvass three days a week, attend caucus every Thursday morning and listen to House of Assembly debates every Friday.

As time passed, Mr. Swan said he realised that if he wanted to take a swing at politics his career as a golfer and business man would have to be left back at the clubhouse.

"When I decided to become a politician I had to cut some slack somewhere,'' explained the father of three. "My life has been driven by two loves -- golf and politics -- but they are both too demanding to be successful at the same time. I had to streamline my business.'' Now that the election has been called for November 9, Mr. Swan said his days are consumed with pounding the pavement in a bid to win a seat in Parliament.

"My day starts at 7 a.m. when I visit the St. George's Golf Club,'' he explained. "On the way I stop by the gas station to collect the morning paper.'' Mr. Swan said he usually returns home by 7.45 a.m. so he can tune into the morning talk shows while getting his three-year-old daughter, Zindziswa's, lunch ready.

If he does not take his daughter to school, Mr. Swan said he returns to St.

George's Golf Club.

"From 10 a.m. to noon I canvass,'' he said. "I'm usually back in time for the lunchtime news and the 12.30 talk shows.'' After listening to the people of Bermuda debate the issues of the day on the airwaves, Mr. Swan said he then devotes about two hours to his business, Bermuda Golf Company Limited.

"The discipline required to be successful in golf is very similar to the discipline needed to be successful in politics. So I think my golf career has prepared me well.'' Between 3 and 5 p.m. Mr. Swan picks his daughter up from school and spends some quality time with his children.

Then it is back on the campaign trail until 9 p.m. when he finally calls it a day.

Frances Breary, the NLP candidate for Devonshire North, said her days have managed to remain pretty normal since throwing her hat into the political arena.

But she admitted that her evenings are no longer hers.

"I have to get up early every morning to get dinner ready before I leave for work,'' the hotel worker and mother explained. "By 5.45 I'm out canvassing and I do not come home until around 8.30 p.m.

"Devonshire North is quite a big area, I wish I had started earlier. There is so little time, but a lot of area to cover. I'm trying to touch every door in the area before the election.'' And she said the response she has received from the community has given her the strength to soldier on.

"The people are appreciative of the fact that I'm out there,'' Mrs. Breary said. "Because this is considered a safe seat, people say they feel like they are being taken for granted by both major parties. For a lot of them, the NLP have been the only ones to knock on their doors.'' Regardless of the outcome of the November 9 election, Mrs. Breary said she was looking forward to being able to spend some quality time with her family once the people of Bermuda cast their vote.

"Once this is over I am looking forward to spending more time listening and addressing the concerns of my family because at the moment I do not have the time to do so.'' LEGAL MANOEUVRES -- A thriving law practice and the campaign trail preoccupies most of Southampton West PLP candidate Michael Scott's day.

Photos by Arthur Bean OUT AND ABOUT -- Most of UBP candidate Kim Swan's day is spent pounding the pavement in his constituency of St. George's North.

LONG NIGHTS -- NLP Devonshire North candidate Frances Breary said her days have managed to remain pretty normal since hitting the campaign trail -- but her evenings are no longer hers.