candidates for the next general election.

Constituents will be floated names -- with focus on the marginals, The Royal Gazette has learned from party sources.

The news comes as the appointment of E.T. (Bob) Richards to the Senate has cast the spotlight on the battleground of Warwick, a traditional marginal.

It brings to three the number of United Bermuda Party Senators with strong ties to Warwick.

Sen. Richards, son of Bermuda's first black Premier Sir Edward Richards, was born and grew up in Warwick East.

And new Government Senate Leader Gary Pitman and Sen. Yvette Swan have allegiances with Warwick West.

The trio could provide hot competition for available seats in Warwick.

Other names mentioned by party insiders as possible candidates include businessman David Dunkley and UBP maverick Sanders Frith-Brown, both linked with Warwick East.

At the last general election, Warwick East was shared by Environment Minister Irving Pearman and the Opposition's Alex Scott, while Warwick West was split between Labour Minister Quinton Edness and Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ewart Brown.

Yesterday neither Mr. Pearman nor Mr. Edness appeared minded to simply throw in the towel.

Mr. Pearman, now nudging 70, said he was "available'' as a candidate, believing he had something to offer.

"I recognise there is still a chance for me to make a contribution.'' He added, however, he would bow to the wishes of his constituents, if they wanted a fresh face.

"I share the view that there are a number of other possible candidates for Warwick East.'' Mr. Edness, a veteran politician in his 60s, gave a similar response.

"I certainly intend to run again, but that always depends on whether the people of Warwick want me to represent them in the next election, whenever that election comes.'' Yesterday the three UBP Senators appeared reluctant to show their hands when asked whether they would stand at the next general election.

"Maybe. It's a possibility, but nothing has been finalised,'' said Sen.

Richards.

Sen. Richards, 49, president of Bermuda Asset Management, said he was an approved candidate, adding: "I could run wherever my party wants me to run.'' Sen. Pitman, also UBP chairman, made a similar point.

"As an approved candidate, there is nothing precluding me from standing outside Warwick.'' He added he would be interested in running for political office at some stage, although not necessarily at the next election.

Polling to begin International Ltd., said his UBP involvement began in Sandys North.

Later, he moved to Warwick West, where he worked on the campaigns of Sir John Sharpe and Mr. Edness. He entered the Senate in 1994 after Michael Winfield resigned his seat.

Sen. Yvette Swan, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, said: "I am willing to stand wherever my party wants me.

"I wouldn't throw a tantrum if they don't want me to stand in Warwick West.'' Sen. Swan, an optometrist and past president of the International Business and Professional Women's Association, was the UBP branch chairman in Warwick West.

Party sources yesterday said constituency polling would begin shortly, perhaps within the next two weeks.

Mr. Pearman told The Royal Gazette it would make sense for any polling to include marginals, such as Warwick East, where a handful of votes can generally decide the outcome.

Warwick East was held by the United Bermuda Party in 1968 and 1972, split between the UBP and PLP in 1976, held by the PLP in 1980, and again split between the two parties in 1983.

POLICTICS PTL