representative of the voters of Pembroke West.

And while he expects to be challenged for the right to represent the PLP in the area, he is hopeful that his previous experience at the last by-election will see him through.

Mr. Smith is not alone, however, as a quarter page ad in The Royal Gazette this week from the "Friends of Rodney Smith'' trumpeted his virtues.

The ad described him as a candidate that will work hard for the people of Pembroke West who is sociable and a good listener.

The ad continued:"We hope that he will be selected by the PLP Pembroke branch to knock on the doors of the constituents so he can hear their concerns and present his ideas for making Bermuda a better place for all.'' Mr. Smith said that he was thankful for the vote of confidence the ad portrayed.

"I think some of my concerned friends placed the ad in order to drum up support for me,'' he explained. "There may be a number of names that are in the hat for the PLP in the upcoming by-election but I hope that I am selected once again.

"I know that there are a number of prospective persons who have expressed an interest, so I am not giving anything up to chance. My name is in the hat like everyone else.'' Mr. Smith declined to name any of his potential competitors for the right to represent Pembroke West voters at the by election and party leader Jennifer Smith refused to divulge any details.

Public relations Officer Michael Scott said he could not comment on the advertisement since it did not come from the party.

But Carvel Van Putten, who ran for the PLP in the area at the last election, said that he stands behind Mr. Smith.

"I will stand behind him again because he has done very well in the area. He fits the mould of the kind of person we needed in Pembroke West.'' Mr. Van Putten said the constituency was diverse in its makeup with elderly persons and young persons all within a sub-urban area. Additionally he pointed to the transitory population of people who moved in and out of the area.

"I think we have a good man in Rodney Smith who has done his homework,'' Mr.

Van Putten added.

He said that while there has always been competition to represent the voters of Pembroke West within the PLP, it was a democratic party.

"There may be someone else standing in the wings but I have no knowledge of it at this moment.'' During the last by-election, the United Bermuda Party's Erwin Adderley notched up a total of 618 (59.1 percent) votes.

Mr. Smith netted 382 (36.5 per cent), while National Liberal Party candidate Graeme Outerbridge trailed in last with just 34 supporters (3.2 percent).

The turnout was 56.9 percent -- well off the 1993 General Election figure of 76.6 percent.