Bermuda Party to run in the Devonshire North by-election The Royal Gazette has learned.

And Mr. Greenslade, vice president of technical services at the Bank of Bermuda, has already been canvassing in the area.

He said that he is more than willing to represent his party in the constituency that has traditionally been a safe PLP seat.

"At this point and time it is a possibility,'' he said last night. "But it rests with the party's central committee to make that decision.

"If they make that decision then I would have no problem taking care of that.'' Premier David Saul, meanwhile, would only confirm that his party has already chosen someone, but he would not say who that individual is.

"Our campaign committee has picked the person who will be running and we will be making an announcement in due course,'' he said.

"But it wouldn't be right to call a snap by-election right away (in light of former Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade's death) because the Opposition will need some time to sort out who they want to run.

"The United Bermuda Party has been campaigning actively in Devonshire North and we will announce our candidate in due course.'' Dr. Saul said that he was optimistic that the United Bermuda Party will do well in the constituency.

Another UBP insider said he was not worried about his party's chances because a by-election presented a different sort of challenge.

"A by-election is a funny thing,'' he said. "I think the PLP will see a drop in their support because so much tension surrounded the leadership race.

"The actual UBP voters who traditionally do not come out will come out,'' the source continued, citing Paula Cox's loss in Sandys North, another strong PLP area in 1985, to back up his claim.

"It's a funny thing a by-election, and I do not think that they have helped themselves to have had a contest for the leadership like they had two nights ago.

"It would have been better if they had got the by-election over with and then had the dog-fight in November.'' Ms Cox is known to have some supporters within the PLP and is interested in throwing her hat into the ring.

"I certainly am very interested in running,'' she said. "And I have indicated my interest by way of letter to the Devonshire branch.

"The Devonshire branch have a number of worthy candidates but I certainly hope that I will be the one.'' Ms Cox is believed to have the backing of former PLP leader Mrs. Lois Browne Evans.

When asked, Mrs. Browne Evans said the PLP procedures and the voters in Devonshire North will ultimately decide.

"The people in Devonshire North don't like to be taken for granted,'' she said. "There are many who have expressed an interest in running.

"Whenever there is a vacancy in an area that is considered to be a safe PLP district everyone and his cousin has a good reason why they should be selected.'' The PLP procedures require letters of interest to be sent to Devonshire branch chairman Delroy O'Brien who then will present them at a branch meeting.

The branch will vote on the choices which are then sent to the candidates' committee who conducts interviews with the prospective individual(s).

A final report is sent to the PLP central committee which will approve or disapprove the candidate.

The National Liberal Party will also contest the by-election and party chairman Charles Jeffers said that there were at least three quality people to choose from.