Gazette today turns the spotlight on newly-appointed Minister of Human Affairs and Information the Hon. Jerome Dill, MP for Pembroke West Central.

*** Lolling back in the office chair at his law firm, 33-year-old Mr. Jerome Dill voices amazement at the cards life has dealt him so far.

And, he muses, a natural rebelliousness may have helped him on his way.

After all a black man raised by working-class parents in Parsons Street is an unlikely United Bermuda Party candidate.

Let alone a Cabinet Minister just given responsibility for handling the biggest political hot potato of them all -- race relations.

And, with his dad being a taxi operator, a law career was hardly a family tradition.

"Most of my childhood friends can't believe Jerome Dill 1993 compared to what I was like,'' he exclaims.

"I think I was the least likely out of all my friends to be a Cabinet Minister.'' So what was the young Jerome Dill like? "I had a very happy childhood, and I was always committed to getting an education.

"I came from a very humble background, and in a neighbourhood that was not necessarily conducive to a successful academic career.'' Many will know his mother, broadcaster Shirley Dill, a voice hundreds of VSB listeners wake up to on Sundays.

Aged five Jerome was sent to the old Bishop Spencer's school where the headmistress Gwen Robinson made a huge impression.

As to academic prowess, Mr. Dill remembers being always "near the top of class.'' "I wasn't a particularly outgoing child, although I wouldn't say I was reclusive. I did have friends, and we had a lot of fun together, although I was a little shy.'' After Bishop Spencer's, it was Warwick Academy (1972-77) where he discovered a flair for history and English.

"I always enjoyed experimenting with the English language, but it was English Literature I particularly loved.

"I liked people like Yeats and Alexander Pope.'' If this conjures up the impression of a swot, Mr. Dill is quick to dismiss it.

"I was a rebellious child, although the memories of what I got up to are not for a newspaper,'' he laughs.

It wasn't until his late teens and early 20s, however, that Mr. Dill started to find his political feet.

After a year at Bermuda College, he went to Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia to study Economics.

He then took a law degree at the London School of Economics, where he was vice-chairman of the London University Inner Temple Society.

"I also founded the Law Students' Association of Bermuda, and was president of it,'' he says with pride.

He is anxious to highlight another academic achievement.

"I took a degree in law at University College, London, at the same time I took the Bar course. That has never been done before in Bermuda.'' He adds: "I loved London. I liked the international flavour there, and I mixed with people from all over the world.'' Returning from London, Mr. Dill joined the law firm Appleby, Spurling & Kempe.

He was just 26, and has been been there ever since.

"I'm a commercial litigator, and the cases I deal in don't generally make the newspapers.'' Mr. Dill was surprised by the speed with which his political career took off.

But joining the UBP came naturally -- despite his background.

"I had been invited to join the Progressive Labour Party, but my philosophy was a UBP one.'' Mr. Dill is well aware of those critics who tag him an "Uncle Tom'', berating him for forgetting his black roots.

"I actually receive very, little criticism to my face. If some told me I was an Uncle Tom I would have no difficulty with that, provided he was prepared to have an intelligent discussion with me.

"I have no time for people who don't want to be reasonable.'' Mr. Dill, the highly-publicised target of a race hate poster, says he set out to change the UBP from within, and make it more socially sensitive.

And, he believes, the UBP has improved enormously in this department.

The Hon. Jerome Dill.