calculations can be sent haywire by the performance of this odd breed of politician. Gareth Finighan puts them under scrutiny Four candidates have decided to go it alone and run as Independents in next Monday's election. And while none of the gang of four stand a chance of picking up a Cabinet post in any new government, any one of them could play a crucial role in the House of Assembly's balance of power if elected. For with the General Election set to be a close run race and the possibility of a hung Parliament being muted, an Independent MP could have the deciding vote in any House debate. All four candidates are no strangers to politics. Lawyer Phil Perinchief, standing in Pembroke West, came in a credible fourth place, picking up nearly 20 percent of the vote when he stood for the PLP at the last election in neighbouring Pembroke West Central. Mr. Perinchief opted to leave the PLP fold this time round because of his stance on taxation and the Parliamentary system. He believes in the introduction of income tax and the abolition of the Westminster-style first past the post system of electing Government. "A proportionate and progressive taxation system will tax income according to a person's ability to pay,'' Mr. Perinchief said. "That is, if a person is poor or near poor, he or she will pay no taxes at all. "Only the rich benefit from the present tax system. The PLP should have explained this to the people a very long time ago.'' Mr. Perinchief, brother of PLP Pembroke West Central candidate Wayne Perinchief, also believes in a minimum wage and proportional representation which, he claims, would produce a fairer representation of the electorate in the House of Assembly. And he is one of the few candidates to put his cards on the table when it comes to the Independence issue, claiming that, if Bermuda is forced into a Euro Alliance through its ties with Britain, it would be "the death knell'' of the Island. Mr. Perinchief claims he has had a great response from the voters of the constituency and believes he is winning over a great number of PLP supporters. The Progressive Labour Party is fielding just one candidate in the constituency after Rodney Smith dropped out of the election race over a housing scandal. Gershwyn Smith is also no new face on the political stage. Having stood in Paget East in a 1994 by-election, where he polled just 3 votes, he improved his standing in Devonshire North in 1996 when five supporters put a cross against his name. This time around the High Priest of the Young Progressives group, former jailbird and supporter of the legalisation of marijuana is taking on UBP incumbents Trevor Moniz and C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, who happens to be his uncle, along with David Burch for the PLP and National Liberal Party candidate Graeme Outerbridge in Smith's South. Mr. Smith, 48, who works as a music publisher, has clearly not been disheartened by his poor election track record. When asked if he would take part in an interview to discuss his election platform he instead issued a written statement. "I, Gershwyn Smith, better known as the High Priest Mohatma Shiloh Mahdi, announce myself as independent candidate in the next General Election, partly in celebration of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary,'' the statement said. "To Allah Jehovah, Most Gracious, Most High, to my brethren by my side. "I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart, the wisdom and courage of my mind, the strength and vigour of my body in the service of my fellow brethren. I promise to stand up for righteousness, justice, brotherhood and peace. To work diligently and creatively. To think generously and honestly so that we may, through Almighty God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity and play our part in the revelation of righteous humanity, for we be the generation of the righteous. Our truth is the holy word of Almighty God, the testimony of Jesus Christ.'' PLP stalwart Kenneth Bascome has thrown down the gauntlet to his former boss Jennifer Smith by staking a claim to a seat in her own constituency of St. George's North.

Mr. Bascome decided to go it alone after an acrimonious split with the PLP. He was snubbed by Party bosses who selected Government statistician Delaey Robinson as the official party candidate in the constituency. But he denied that a vote for him would be a vote for the UBP, saying that he decided to stand because he has the community of St. George's at heart and had been encouraged to stand by numerous people. Education and a revamp of the court system are on the top of his list of national priorities and he has put forward some radical solutions, including an alternative learning environment for youngsters who struggle to fit in the usual classroom setting. "I feel the criminal justice system also needs to be reviewed and possibly revamped because a number of our laws are antiquated hangovers from slavery,'' he said.

He also believes that the Island is still a premier destination but that people have lost their passion for the industry. The PLP will also have to fight off another Independent hopeful in St. George's North in the shape of Kingsley Francis. The 61-year-old truck driver, who was born and bred in the parish, brought up the rear when he stood for election as a common councillor in September. He has also stood for a seat in the constituency in previous General Elections, although he said he was unable to remember when he stood or how many votes he secured. The divorced father of one, who is now studying law at the Bermuda College, said he was standing as an Independent because he believed there was too much bickering between the two mainstream parties.

"They are always fighting amongst themselves and seem to have forgotten what their responsibilities are,'' he said. "There is too much animosity and they have lost sight of the people they are representing. "I think if the people of St. George's elected me there would be more genuine representation for them in the House of Assembly. "Locally I think the most important issue is the St. George's nursing home -- that has got to be more effectively run.'' Mr.

Francis said he believed the economy was the most important issue nationally, but would not say if he thought the Government was doing a bad job of running the country's purse strings. "That is something I couldn't give a yes or no answer to at the moment,'' he said. "But I think the economy is the most important issue -- that's something I would have to do my homework on if I were elected. Mr. Francis also declined to say if he had anything on his Independent colleague Kenny Bascome. "I haven't been keeping tabs on Kenny,'' he said. "I've just been concentrating on my own campaign."The response from the doorsteps has been reasonable, although there has been some discouragement,'' he said candidly. PHOTO TOO MUCH ANIMOSITY -- Kingsley Francis, in this 1980 file photo, who opposes the constant bickering among the UBP and PLP. NEW POLITICAL ORDER? -- Gershwyn Smith, the High Priest of the Young Progressive Group. Pictured below is the more conventional Kenny Bascome. REVVING UP -- Lawyer Phil Perinchief enjoys jetskiing during his spare time. On November 9 he hopes to power his way to glory in the General Election. At the last election he stood for the Progressive Labour Party.