Former Senator Walton Brown was yesterday formally unveiled as the Progressive Labour Party’s General Election candidate for Pembroke Central, Constituency number 17.The district is currently represented by National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief who lost the branch organisation’s endorsement at a selection contest in September.At the Alaska Hall press event, Mr Brown noted his work as a Bermuda College lecturer in politics and history “helping to forge and shape the minds of young people”.“Since that time, I have conducted a great deal of research in a wide range of social issues and that’s given me a much better understanding,” he said.He pledged to “listen attentively” to the voters of Pembroke Central and work hard to address their issues.“To the members of the public at large, if I receive the support of the constituents, I will work alongside the Premier and all other parliamentarians to address major issues of the Country.”He said addressing the Country’s “unprecedented set of challenges” will take insight, hard work and courage.“I pledge to be available to constituents. I pledge to be available to the people. I will not be an absentee politician.”Premier Paula Cox said that she was impressed by Mr Brown’s “intellectual capacity”.“I see him as a 21st century thinker who is prepared to think outside the box,” Ms Cox said.“I have always been impressed by his passionate commitment to Bermuda.”Following the press conference, the long-time advocate for independence told The Royal Gazette that he will continue his public and private advocacy for Bermuda’s sovereignty.Asked if he was frustrated by the Government’s lack of movement on the issue, he said: “I’m frustrated that the people of the Country do not see that Independence is not only a natural step to move toward but it is necessary if we are to have the people and their power fully represented in Parliament because currently the people are not fully represented under our present system. So it is a matter for the people to come on board with, and I hope that at the right time, people will see that it is the obvious and necessary step and position for us to be in.”Mr Brown lost out in the 2007 General Election to Shawn Crockwell when he ran as the PLP’s candidate for Pembroke West.He was appointed to the Senate by then-Premier Ewart Brown, where he served as Junior Minister of Education, Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce.He announced his intention to challenge Mr Perinchief for Pembroke Central last year, after Premier Paula Cox did not appoint him back to the Senate.In 2007, Pembroke Central voters gave Mr Perinchief a solid victory, with 439 votes against the UBP’s Austin Warner’s 308 votes and independent candidate Harold Darrell’s 24 votes.