The United Bermuda Party was left licking its wounds last night and contemplating life in the immediate future as the Opposition.

Thirty odd years of reign as Bermuda's Government came to a close as the Progressive Labour Party seized 26 of the 40 available Parliamentary seats in a General Election many felt was going to be a race to the wire.

Gone from the UBP roster are long-standing MPs Ann Cartwright DeCouto and Quinton Edness and other former Cabinet Ministers Maxwell Burgess, Wayne Furbert and Jerome Dill.

Meanwhile political newcomers, in the form of Allan Marshall, Cole Simons and Madeline Joell, will enter the Parliamentary foray without ever knowing what it was like to sit in the Government benches.

At the Surf Club on Front Street, where the party faithful gathered, the mood was one of reflection, remorse and regrouping as results streamed in over the restaurant's televisions.

Victors and victims of the polls all showed shell shock in the lead up to the final tally.

A staff member at the nightspot noted: "From the reaction I saw on people's faces in here earlier, they all knew what was happening. We've put the champagne back in the stores, nobody is ordering any.'' Pembroke East candidate David Petty said: "It was a slaughter, a bloody slaughter.'' The newcomer to the political arena, who collected 184 votes in his losing effort, later added: "I am here for my party and I will do whatever is needed to bring us back up.'' Vanquished UBP accepts verdict `of the people' More seasoned campaigner David Dodwell, who regained his seat in Southampton West by polling 768 votes, said: "Life will go on.

"I felt that if there was practical logical voting then we would win but I think we have seen greater emotion than ever before and as a result I am not surprised at the outcome.

"The big question in my mind will be can the new Government deliver on the expectations?'' His colleague John Barritt, who topped the polls in Devonshire South with 1,030 votes, said his pleasure at regaining his seat was tempered by the party's loss.

"It is time to rest up, it's been a long campaign. It's time to reflect on the result and to reflect on how we will go forward.

"The Country wishes us to be a strong Opposition and we have to accept the will of the people.'' Political newcomer Mr. Marshall, who topped the polls in Smith's North with 810 votes, made a fierce pledge to mark the start of his career.

"Believe you me, the Opposition have never led the Country, therefore neither have they had a fierce Opposition so I will serve them notice that I will be doing my part to make sure I protect the voters of Smith's North and Bermuda at large.'' And Ms Joell, who collected 629 votes in Paget West to earn her seat in Parliament, said: "Obviously I am disappointed but the people of Bermuda have spoken, and they have spoken quite loudly.

"This party has been held accountable in the past and we will be a strong Opposition. We will make sure they (the PLP) will be accountable for everything they do.'' Returning UBP representative Gary Pitman, who finished as a runner up to fellow UBP representative Erwin Adderley in Pembroke West polls agreed.

"We have to get out there and be the best Opposition that we can.'' Fellow newcomer Mr. Simons, who ran alongside Mr. Marshall and collected 809 votes, said he would be turning his focus to the young and old members of the community.

"My focus will be on the seniors and young people. The young people are our futures and we have to learn from our seniors' experiences. They have a lot to offer, they are very interested in the community and they have a lot to offer.'' The Premier's sister, Pamela Pamplin Gordon, who was wiped out with Wayne Scott in Pembroke East Central, said: "I'm very disappointed for Pam.

"But she didn't have the time to fix into place the plans she wanted. I respect the democratic process and the people have spoken at the polls.'' She added: "I thought she was the healing person for the change which occurred within the party -- she came into the leadership at a very difficult time and I would like to see her continue.'' Former Minister Dr. Clarence Terceira, who recently stood down from politics, said the PLP had "by far the best election machinery they've ever had''.

He added: "They were able to get across their ideas to a lot of Bermudians that it was a time for change and after 30 years more or less, you have to expect that up to a certain point.'' And Dr. Terceira said that "things had settled down'' in the UK after Labour's landslide last year and he hoped Bermuda would do the same.'' WITH THE UNITED BERMUDA PARTY