Royal Gazette can reveal.

For Dessaline Waldron is odds-on favourite to take unopposed the leadership of the Island's smallest political organisation, the National Liberal Party.

And that would mean women in charge of all three parties -- thought to be a world first in politics.

Ms Waldron said: "It's good women are taking this step in life. I have a lot of respect for the Premier and Opposition leader -- one more wouldn't hurt.'' But she added that the National Liberal Party needed "a lot of work'' to make it a credible third force in Island political life.

She said: "I think the people are there -- but I don't know whether they're just hesitant to move from one party to another.

"But there is room for a third party. People have been disenchanted both by this Government and the last one.'' Medical receptionist Ms Waldron added that -- if successful -- major surgery would have to be made in party policy and strategy.

She said: "We just have to get out there and work very hard. There will be a lot of changes, but I would have to sit down and think about what policies I would want to see changed.'' Party spokesman Graeme Outerbridge added: "I think women know best, or so it would seem in Bermuda.

"I've never seen three women leaders at the same time. I think we could get into the Guinness Book of Records if this happens.'' And Mr. Outerbridge -- three-time party leader himself -- appeared to throw his weight behind Ms Waldron.

He said: "I've said if she runs, I'm not going to go for the number one spot.

I will step aside because I think it's important for us to have new people.'' Mr. Outerbridge said he was not yet aware if the leadership would be contested -- although that is thought to be unlikely.

He added: "At the moment, we really don't know and we won't until we get up to the annual general meeting in March.'' Ms Waldron has been involved in the NLP -- born out a split in the now-ruling Progressive Labour Party -- since its foundation in the mid-1980s.

She is currently vice-chairman of the party and has served in various posts in the NLP executive over a period of several years.

The leadership vacancy was caused by the resignation of Charles Jeffers, who quit to set up a new body dedicated to easing the housing crisis for low-income families.

Mr. Jeffers -- party chairman for four years -- said he felt he had to end political affiliation to any party to increase his new project's chances of success.

The NLP fielded four candidates -- all unsuccessful -- in the 1998 General Election, a landslide for the Progressive Labour Party and its first shot at power.

The party lost its last remaining MP to the PLP at the General Election of 1993, which was narrowly won by the United Bermuda Party.

Dessaline Waldron