Former Progressive Labour Party MP El James will run again in the coming election in Warwick North Central after being praised as "Cabinet material" by Premier Ewart Brown.

Mr. James, 58, did one term as Dr. Brown's running mate in Warwick West and then retired in 2003.

Amid rumours that Mr. James would be fast tracked to the top upon his return, Premier Brown told The Royal Gazette: "I don't have a job in mind — we will cross that bridge when we come to it. But of course I consider him Cabinet material.

"He has the ability, the time, the energy and the experience."

The seat is currently held by George Scott who has been moved by party bosses to the neighbouring virtually no-hope UBP seat of Warwick West.

Premier Brown denied the PLP's Warwick North Central seat was now vulnerable and said Mr. Scott had been moved from the seat because "we thought he could win a seat somewhere else".

But he declined to explain why late PLP leader Fredrick Wade's widow Ianthia had been dumped by party bosses after originally getting the backing of Warwick West branch members in the opening round of the selection merry-go-round.

Mr. James was elected alongside Dr. Brown in Warwick West at the 1998 election which was fought under the old dual-MP system.

But he languished on the backbenches and was a vocal critic of then Premier Jennifer Smith.

Mr. James was also known to be opposed to the Register of Interests which lists MPs financial assets and he stood down after just one term four years ago.

Yesterday he told a press conference he had never stopped working for the area since retiring from Parliament.

He said: "I have assisted people with housing, assisted young men with getting employment and we have had a few enter rehabilitation."

Mr. James, who will defend a 134-vote majority against United Bermuda Party candidate Wayne Scott, said voters on the doorstep had voiced most concern over the education system.

They backed Purvis Primary but they had worries over the middle and senior schools, said Mr. James. "Being a product of Purvis myself I share their belief as well as their concern."

But he said Government was tackling the education system which he said was the only true way to empower people of all colours and would reduce other social problems such as crime, drugs and unemployment.

A former international cricketer, Mr. James said he was already working on a plan to revive community spirit including a car care workshop planned next month.

"This will be especially designed for women. It will give participants a chance to learn how to change the oil, change the tyres and wiper blades etc."

Other events planned include cast net throwing, plant propagation, a block party and Christmas cooking workshops.

Premier Brown said he came to view Mr. James as the unofficial mayor of Warwick after the two were paired together in Warwick West in 1998.

"He would take me to places in Warwick West that I didn't know existed. This man knows Warwick and Warwick knows this man and I have no doubt he comes back into politics with the life and energy that only he can muster."

One PLP insider said Premier Brown wanted to bring in allies to promote to Cabinet.

The source said: "Right now he is Premier and running three ministries — Transport, Tourism and, effectively, Health.

"Whoever he has, has to be 190 percent loyal to him. He doesn't want to find himself out-voted in Cabinet on anything he does."

As a golfing buddy of the Premier and successful entrepreneur, Mr. James, is seen as a more comfortable fit in the Brown government than current MP George Scott who, although quiet in Parliament just as Mr. James was, created waves when he got involved in an ugly spat on a worksite with Canadian construction worker Curtis Macleod.

Mr. Macleod lost his work permit as a result — only for the Supreme Court to overturn Government's decision.