An architectural designer is set to come in a few strokes ahead of a golf champion in the competition to represent Government in the crucial seat of Hamilton East.

For Stephen West is set to beat Madeleine Joell in the nomination for the constituency currently held by the Opposition, according to United Bermuda Party insiders.

It is understood that -- after intensive polling -- Mr. West has come out ahead of Ms Joell.

And that makes it likely that Mr. West will line up with United Bermuda Party Sen. Angelita Fox to carry Government's standard against the Progressive Labour Party's Renee Webb and Derrick Burgess in a consitituency seen as vital to the hopes of both parties.

The insider said: "Nothing has been decided yet -- but it seems most likely that Stephen will get the nomination.'' The Royal Gazette understands, however, that an announcement on candidates can be expected within the next two weeks.

Mr. West yesterday declined to comment on the likelihood of his selection for the seat.

And Ms Joell -- who holds a top post in marketing at insurance giants ACE -- was also staying silent and did not return a call from The Royal Gazette .

But Sen. Fox and Mr. West are clear favourites to go up against Ms Webb and Mr. Burgess.

The UBP took a hammering in Hamilton East earlier this year when Government hopeful Francis Furbert faced up to Mr. Burgess in a by-election caused by the resignation of the Rev. Trevor Woolridge.

Mr. Burgess -- picked after Mr. Woolridge quit following conviction, then a successful appeal in a court sex case -- followed his predecessor at the helm of the Bermuda Industrial Union, Ottiwell Simmons, into the House of Assembly by a thumping majority, taking 65.5 percent of the vote compared to Mr.

Furbert's 34.5 percent.

The seat -- prone to swings in recent elections -- had a PLP clean sweep in 1993, unseating the National Liberal Party's sole MP Gilbert Darrell and beating out Mr. Furbert and lawyer Wendell Hollis. UBP incumbent MP Haskins Davis retired from politics at that Election.

Direct comparision between the 1993 General Election and the 1998 by-election is difficult due to the twin-seat constituencies in Bermuda.

But both 1993 PLP candidates picked up a total of 48.8 percent, compared to the UBP team's 41.4 percent. The NLP notched up 10 percent of the voters.

Boundary changes due to come into effect for the next General Election will alter the makeup of Hamilton East -- and the neighbouring constituency of Hamilton West.

Those seats are held by UBP Ministers Maxwell Burgess and Wayne Furbert and is also seen as a crucial contest in the fight to form the next Government.

Stephen West