nomination for the Paget East by-election, he confirmed yesterday.

And Mr. David Skinner, who drew 19 percent of the vote in the UBP stronghold in the 1989 general election, said he was considering another run as an Independent.

Meanwhile, Bermuda Cablevision founder Mr. Gavin Wilson learned yesterday that a "technicality'' would prevent him from seeking the Paget East nomination for the UBP.

Like the Hon. John Stubbs whom he hopes to succeed, Dr. Harris, 47, is expected to place himself in the UBP camp which is opposed to Government's Independence referendum initiative.

"While it will be very difficult to follow in the outstanding achievements and footsteps of Dr. Stubbs, I'm a very concerned born Bermudian and I'm offering myself as a candidate in a spirit of public service,'' Dr. Harris told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"My concern is that the constituents of Paget East must be given a choice of candidates, and that ultimately their choice of candidates should really reflect their concerns on the most important issues which are presently before the Country.'' He would not be drawn on his stand on an Independence referendum, saying he would prefer to answer the question after a UBP meeting in Paget East tonight.

But it is believed he opposes Government's approach.

Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons, who has supported the referendum initiative in the Senate, is also expected to seek the nomination for the UBP.

Dr. Stubbs, a founding member of the UBP, died on June 7 after a fight with cancer. He was part of a small group in the UBP caucus that openly opposed plans for a referendum on Independence.

Dr. Harris, "born and raised on Point Finger Road,'' has been director of the Maritime Museum for 14 years and an approved UBP candidate for several years.

Mr. Skinner, a founder of the Concerned Bermudians group that sprung up when Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan last spoke in favour of Independence in the late 1980s, said yesterday he had not decided whether to run.

"It is something I want to sleep on,'' he said.

Asked if he had the same concerns today as he did in 1989, he said: "Indeed.'' Mr. Wilson said he learned when he went to register at Chancery Lane yesterday that to be a candidate he had to be a UBP member for at least 30 days. He only joined the party last week.

"It was a very short political career,'' a disappointed Mr. Wilson said.

"I'll have to sit this one out.''