Bermuda got a new senator - lawyer Victoria Pearman - to replace Milton Scott who has resigned his Senate seat.

And as Ms Pearman expressed confidence that she would find the time to adequately discharge her public and private duties, her predecessor told The Royal Gazette that Bermuda needs full-time politicians, especially if they have Cabinet responsibility.

"I don't think I would be here today if we had full-time ministers," Mr. Scott said.

Acting Governor Tim Gurney presided over the swearing-in ceremony at Government House.

In attendance were members of Ms Pearman's family and professional colleagues, as well as Premier Jennifer Smith and Government Senate Leader Col. David Burch.

"I've always had an interest in being a servant of the people of Bermuda," said Ms Pearman. "I have been doing that now for eight years in my private capacity."

She added that she never aspired to public office and was "initially reluctant" to accept the call to serve.

"But I thought about it and I think it's something that Bermudians ought not to shy away from.

"It's not a decision to be taken lightly of course. I'm confident that I will be able to balance the challenges of my private practice with the time that's required to be a thorough and good representative."

She added: "I'm also hopeful that the exposure that I have, in my private practice, with a broad and diverse cross section of the Bermuda population would be of assistance and I certainly won't promise to be perfect but I promise to do my best."

Ms Pearman agreed that her appointment comes at an important period in Bermuda's history. "I was very aware of the challenges that this country and countries all over the world face at this time. But I have a lot of confidence in the leadership and people of this country."

Mr. Scott's decision to leave politics altogether was an economic one - he had accepted a private sector opportunity, he said. The former Education Minister had served in the senate since 1993, making him and Senate president Alf Oughton the longest serving senators.

He listed the Independence Referendum debate, electoral reform legislation and the debate on the Children's Act as among the significant moments of his time in the Senate.

He added: "There's been some very progressive pieces of legislation that I've been a part of both as Senate Leader of the Opposition as well as the Government Leader."

A return to politics is "very much a possibility - a decade from now" he said when asked. "My heart is with politics but you have to make some decisions in your life. I've held various jobs and this job is basically to prepare for retirement. If there's one thing I can say it's that there's a need for full time Ministers with adequate compensation.

"We have a multibillion dollar economy and you need people to run the country to respond to the issues associated with that and also the social issues... I don't think I would be here today if we had full time Ministers. It was basically an economic decision that led to my decision to resign from Cabinet as well as the Senate.

"That's the number one issue that the Boundaries Commission has to address," Mr. Scott explained. "You cannot continue to expect that individuals will be able to run the affairs of this country as part time Members of the Legislature - at the Cabinet level as well as the MP level.

There are lots of issues that need to be responded to and responded to in a timely manner."

Mr. Scott expressed his gratitude to the Premier Smith for the opportunity to serve.