Day profiles Home Affairs Minister and Government Leader in the House of Assembly the Hon. Quinton Edness.

He boasts more than 30 years in politics, and bears the look of someone who has seen off a thousand odd crises...many would find it tempting to slap a "seen it all, done it all'' sticker on the Hon. Quinton Lancelot Edness.

Such labelling, however, should be fiercely resisted; For it could be viewed as misleading advertising by Bermuda's political watchdogs, not to mention the man himself.

Ask the 64-year-old about his new Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety portfolio, and he is strangely diffident. As wary, perhaps, as a man picking his way through a path overgrown with thorns.

Yes, he already has a batch of ideas about training and retraining, wooing young Bermudians back into the hotel industry, pouring balm on sometimes troubled industrial relations, and striking back at cycle thieves and drug dealers.

And as a self-styled "people's person'' the father-of-one is genuinely itching to put some meat on those ideas when he takes his seat in the coming Parliamentary session; Several key policy announcements are expected.

Nevertheless, the former Berkeley Institute student still comes across as a man who needed to be coaxed, cajoled, and even pleaded with to pick up his new portfolio.

"I wanted to wind down, to tell you the truth,'' he says, recalling the heady aftermath of the August Independence referendum which brought the Premiership of his long-time political ally, Sir John Swan, to a shuddering halt.

"I wanted to take a break and smell the flowers, if you like.'' New Premier the Hon. David Saul, anxious to fill missing gaps in his Cabinet, soon put paid to that dream.

"He called me up and explained his position to me, asking me to do a very important job for my Country. I talked to my wife, Vicki, and she virtually made up my mind for me.

"She told me I had to do it. This may seem rather trite, but there are people who put their Country first.'' The bespectacled Warwick West MP adds wistfully: "Vicki was disappointed, of course, because we had had other plans. I had been expecting a quieter life on the backbenches, and had intended doing some charitable work for the homeless.

"I had also wanted to spend a lot more time with my family, including my wife and our daughter, Stacey, who are very dear to me.

"In many regards being in Government is a sacrifice. The last place for you to earn good money is in Government. In fact it reduces your earning capacity.'' With the decision taken, the former managing director of Bermuda Broadcasting Company soon found he had a lot in common -- too much for his own liking -- with the other wide-eyed kids on the political block; His new workplace at the Government Administration Building seemed far removed from the familiar surroundings of the Health and Social Services Ministry.

And it must have appeared even more distant last week when he was forced to publicly retract his "confirmation'' that former Los Angeles Detective Mark Fuhrman -- depicted as a racist in the OJ Simpson trial -- had arrived in Bermuda.

"I have been very busy since I have been in this Ministry, and I must admit I'm on a learning curve at present -- a huge learning curve.

"My predecessor Mr. John Irving Pearman did an outstanding job, and I don't plan to make any drastic changes.

"Naturally, I will continue to review policies, and there are some outstanding problems which need addressing.'' He adds: "I don't, however, want to be seen as a new broom, although we will be shifting some priorities.'' Mr. Edness's latest Ministerial reincarnation follows a political career notable for heady successes and some setbacks. Throughout, he has earned a reputation as a charismatic leader and speaker, and something of a "smooth operator''.

Since becoming an MP in 1968, he has held several Ministries, including: Health and Social Services; Marine and Air; Works, Agriculture and Fisheries; and Community Affairs.

As Minister for Housing, he oversaw the addition of hundreds of affordable homes to the Island's housing stock in the 1980s, but as Works Minister he later came under heavy fire for alleged cost overruns at the new Airport departure area.

In 1980, he lost his seat in Warwick West, but rejoined his long-time running mate the Hon. Sir John Sharpe in the House of Assembly in 1983. In the last general election, it was Sir John who was defeated while Mr. Edness survived.

He has also been responsible for piloting such legislation as the Misuse of Drugs Act 1972; the Bermuda Housing Act 1980; Human Rights Act 1981; Public Works Act 1984; Waste and Litter Act 1987; and the launch of the Housing Assistance Programme in 1988.

The legislative milestones will, no doubt, continue in his new Ministry. And as he settles into his unfamiliar surroundings, the style of the man at the helm will become clearer.

"I am a people's person, and that will show. I love people, and I love to talk to them.'' FACT FILE Born: 1931 Nickname: `QE' MP: 1968-1980, 1983-1995 Senator: 1980-1983 Ministries held: Health and Social Services, Community Affairs, Works, Engineering and Housing, Marine and Air Services, Home Affairs.