Jesse Jackson's 1988 bid to win the American presidential nomination for the Democrats was a turning point in focussing Premier Jennifer Smith on a career in politics, she admits in RG magazine today.

In a lengthy interview, she tells of her fears before the 1998 election that an underclass of Bermudians was coming close to being “psychopaths” because of frustration at having no power.

Ms Smith ran unsuccessfully as a Progressive Labour Party (PLP) candidate in St. George's North in 1972, 1976 and in 1980 was appointed to Senate.

Ms Smith said she cancelled plans to go abroad and work in television in 1980 and was getting further drawn into politics in 1983 when then-Premier Sir John Swan called a snap election.

Talking to Royal Gazette political reporter Ayo Johnson, the Premier said the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta - and Jackson's bid - was a pivotal moment.

“It was the entire atmosphere. It was being surrounded by people whose main reason was to be involved in public life,” she said.

“It just put things in perspective, especially when I heard that other opposition parties had been in opposition longer than us. Obviously the race is never won by people who give up - that was the main thing I got out of it,” she said.

Referring to her fears for the underclass before the 1998 election, she said: “I don't think they were psychopaths, but certainly a level before that. And I was quite concerned that if we continued in the way we were going that we would create alienation.

“I think Bermuda was going that way. It's not a concern I would have stated publicly, but it was a feeling I saw exhibited in certain sectors.”

The Premier said she turned to prayer when times got tough and recalled some of the bitter insults she had endured.

“I have been called names I wouldn't call an enemy - to my face. I can't take anything personally. If I did, I don't think I would do it.”