Keith Young is the new United Bermuda Party candidate for Pembroke East Central, Constituency 16.

Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons made the announcement yesterday, saying that the UBP wants to give voters everywhere the chance to vote for high quality representation ? even in areas which are traditionally a stronghold of the Progressive Labour Party.

?Keith Young is one of those people,? he said.

Mr. Young, currently the manager of the HSBC/Bank of Bermuda?s operations department, also voiced his desire to give those in Pembroke East Central a voice. During the last election, he said, there were those in the area who wanted to vote UBP but who did not know the UBP?s 2003 General Election candidate for the area, Scott Hunter. Mr. Hunter claimed just 62 votes in that poll, in comparison to Government backbencher Nelson Bascome?s triumphant 654. As a resident of Friswell?s Hill for some 11 years on a family homestead which goes back generations, Mr. Young believed he could make a difference. A former member of the Police Reserves and the Bermuda Regiment Band, Mr. Young said he understands the challenges faced by the Police.

He also believes that Bermuda?s young men ? black men in particular ? need direction. Mr. Young and his wife are known for taking young people with nowhere to go into their homes and giving them what opportunities they can. Young people, he said, will remain his focus as he enters the political sphere.

After overcoming a life-threatening illness in 2003, Mr. Young has a renewed commitment to his faith, family and community. He is a member of the Greater Smith Hill New Testament Church of God under his brother-in-law, Lloyd Deacon.

And why the UBP? ?I believe in a united Bermuda, that everyone has a voice,? he said. ?It?s time to look at what each individual can bring.?