Senator Marc Bean has set out his stall as the Progressive Labour Party candidate in the Southampton West Central by-election.

He is taking on United Bermuda Party Senator Charlie Swan and independent candidate Raymond Davis in the December 4 poll, which was sparked by the resignation of UBP MP Jon Brunson. Mr. Brunson won the seat by a 142-vote majority.

Sen. Bean yesterday highlighted his accomplishments as a member of the Senate and as the Junior Minister of Transport, Tourism, Environment and Sport. "I'm in the Senate to get the job done for the people of Bermuda – and I've been working tirelessly for you since my appointment earlier this year," he said in a PLP press release.

"In my capacity as a junior Minister, I represented the Minister on the Air Services Development Committee where I worked closely to protect our current level of airlift and am in high level talks with a number of airlines about bringing new service to Bermuda.

"I am also responsible for managing Bermuda's relations with CARICOM, and, in that role, I am working closely with the University of the West Indies to give Bermudians the opportunity to attend UWI at a highly-discounted tuition rate."

He added: "I've also worked very closely with the Mirrors Programme over the years.

"I am deeply engaged and have a passion for creating opportunity for Bermuda's young people. I am absolutely committed to developing comprehensive strategies to prevent crime before it happens. I understand the challenges our young people face and I speak out frequently inside and outside of Government to provide more opportunities for our young people."

PLP Chairman David Burt urged voters to support Sen. Bean, claiming: "Charlie Swan doesn't have support from all of his Party's MPs because he's an ineffective member of the Senate. Compare their records.

"Marc Bean is a rising star in the PLP with a record of accomplishment and leadership. Charlie Swan is a 'go along to get along' Opposition senator who has yet to lead on a single issue."

Mr. Davis, who is running on a reform ticket, has listed his objectives as more referendums, fixed-term Parliaments and the power for voters to recall unpopular MPs.

The 56-year-old entrepreneur said he hoped to get into Parliament and form an alliance with anyone who wanted genuine change – which was why he was running as an independent.

Responding earlier this week to criticism from former UBP leader Wayne Furbert over the choice of Sen. Swan as the Party candidate, current Party Leader Kim Swan said: "You have an entrepreneur, a businessman who has stayed in this country, who has a commitment to employing people, who lives in the Constituency.

"I think it is unfair to be labelled anything less than a very good and high quality candidate."