veteran MP the Hon. Ralph Marshall announced he would step down at the next general election.

The 66-year-old Transport Minister, one of the longest-serving members of the House of Assembly, said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

His surprise announcement, made months away from the next national vote, could lead to a battle between would-be candidates.

Hotelier Mr. David Dodwell and laundry operator Mr. Raymond Davis last night said they had put their names forward to party officials. Others are believed to be exploring their chances too.

In a letter to Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, Mr. Marshall said it was time for him to stand aside and devote more time to his family and business.

Sir John responded: "I'm sure I speak for my Cabinet colleagues when I say I'll miss his advice, insight and experience in the Cabinet.'' Mr. Marshall told The Royal Gazette : "I want to give more attention to my family, because like most politicians we tend to neglect our family because of the political tasks we have to do.

"I've been thinking about this for some time. As I approached the age of 65 I was thinking about it then.

"I was sort of aiming towards the end of this session of the House. It was about then that I'd made up my mind.

"I'll still continue to support the UBP and will do my share to win the next election.'' Mr. Craig Christensen, UBP branch chairman in Southampton West, said people wished Mr. Marshall well.

The news came at a difficult time, he added. A new candidate would be adopted at a special general meeting of branch members next Friday.

Mr. Dodwell, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association and owner of The Reefs hotel, said he believed in personal, door-step politics.

"I live here and I've been in business here for 21 years,'' he added. Mr.

Davis, who has four laundries and a construction firm, said it was possible there could be a primary vote to decide a candidate.

He was not deterred by getting only nine votes in 1991, when Sen. Pamela Gordon was elected as Mr. Marshall's would-be partner in the constituency.

"I didn't knock on one door last time around,'' he said. "I was quite ambivalent.

"Right now my mind is made up. I want to go where there's a possible chance.'' Mr. Marshall is one of Parliament's four longest-serving MPs, all of whom were first elected in 1963.

At a 30th anniversary lunch in May he recalled how he showed up as a rookie Member of Colonial Parliament in Bermuda shorts, unaware they were banned in the House.

He was the first Bermudian of Portuguese descent to become an MP, and has successfully defended his seat in every general election.

Born in Bermuda, he studied in Canada to become a civil engineer. He returned to the Island in 1953 and founded the Marshall Bernardo Partnership. In 1954 he married Patricia Frances Vallis. They have three children -- Belinda, Marsha and Blake -- and four grandchildren.

His first Cabinet post was as Transport Minister in 1972. He also held the Works and Agriculture and Health and Social Services portfolios.

He was a backbencher from 1982 until 1989, when he returned to Transport. He has travelled extensively as a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, becoming deputy chairman of the executive committee.

Mr. Marshall is a director of the Bank of Butterfield, Mayflower Ltd., Raphael Ltd., Grotto Bay Properties Ltd. and Kentucky Fried Chicken (Bermuda) Ltd.

Last night he said highlights of his political career included the commissioning of the new Watford Bridge and the buying of land for St.

George's golf club.

After taking on Transport in 1972 he oversaw the setting up of the present bus system, he said. "It's a pretty good system, as far as I've been told. I can travel on it for a dime now.'' Sen. Gordon said Mr. Marshall had "thought long and hard'' before making his move.

"I'm sure it was a painstaking decision for him and I wish him and his family well.

"I'll miss him. We developed a very good rapport and he's helped me considerably, being a new person in the Cabinet.''