When he strips off his suit, Member of Parliament James Robertson prefers four legs to two. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Newly appointed Energy and Mining Minister James Robertson is generally known as one of Labour's Young Turks, gliding from scene to scene in a drama played out in the media. One day, he's the smart alec in Gordon House, firing barbs across the aisle; another, he's the centre of controversy for playing 'hero' between the police and a wanted man.

But in-between his role plays, he usually takes time out from his busy schedule to play polo - a sport he says is very close to his heart.

Robertson captained Team Appleton to victory on April 5 in the NCB Capital Markets polo final at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates. Being the typical politician, he is always happy to be on the winning team.

Prior to the recent Cabinet reshuffle, the member of parliament for West St Thomas (JLP) was minister without portfolio for planning and development in the Office of the Prime Minister. Following the switcheroo, Robertson came up trumps.

Finding time

Given his Cabinet responsibilities, the pressure of representational politics, not to mention supporting his wife Charlene and two teenage daughters, how does he manage to juggle his time to include polo?

"The day has 24 hours" was his laconic reply.

Robertson explains that polo is a physically demanding sport on both horse and rider, so he needs to be in tip-top shape in order to compete. "I train late in the evenings and early in the mornings. Your back has to be strong to be a good polo player so I try to be in good shape for the demands of the sport.

"What's more, this puts me in a positive frame of mind to tackle the job and to interact with people," added the 42-year-old, who owns several polo horses and represents the Jamaican team.

In addition to his duties as a Cabinet minister, Robertson is one of four deputy leaders in the party, with specific responsibility for the powerful Area Council Two comprising St Thomas, Portland, St Mary and St Catherine.

Robertson recalls that he started playing polo at age 14 while attending Campion College. He also played football and participated in athletics before leaving for boarding school in England at age 16.

He later attended the South Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, majoring in psychology and economics in the late '80s. While studying in the United States, Robertson captained the All-West polo team to victory and also led the Dallas team to third place nationally.

Entering politics was always on the horizon. Today he has no regrets.

Asked if he had any long-term ambitions to become prime minister, Robertson cleverly eluded that delivery, giving the rehearsed refrain of local politicians: "My goal is to serve Jamaica and its people every day."

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