Paget West tomorrow.

For Ms Joell is likely to be officially adopted as Education Minister Tim Smith's running mate at a meeting of the local United Bermuda Party branch tomorrow night following sitting MP Harry Soares' decision to quit politics.

The insurance executive confirmed yesterday: "I have been officially asked to run for Paget West and I've agreed to do so.'' Ms Joell added she was unaware of any other serious candidates for the safe United Bermuda Party seat.

But it is understood the party is keen to avoid a primary contest, especially so close to a General Election.

Ms Joell said: "We will see what happens -- I hope everything goes smoothly, but you never know.'' She added: "I'm very excited about this, I'm really looking forward, if it goes through, to working with Tim Smith.

"We have a great relationship working in caucus and he has a lot of good ideas.'' Mr. Joell said that despite the rock-solid UBP majority, she was "not over-confident''.

She added: "You can never take anything for granted and I will be out working very hard in Paget West, as I would anywhere else.'' Ms Joell was pipped at the post to run for the UBP in Hamilton East alongside Sen. Angelita Fox by architectural designer Stephen West.

The news came as the Opposition is set to announce a replacement for disgraced Pembroke West candidate Rodney Smith next week.

Mr. Smith -- who quit the race after an embarrassing row over a tenant eviction -- stepped down nearly two weeks ago.

Yesterday, Progressive Labour Party spokesman Michael Scott said: "We're still in the process of determining a replacement for Mr. Smith.

"But I can't confirm the deliberations of either the party leader or the candidates' committee on this issue.'' Mr. Scott declined to comment on how many people were being considered for the job.

But The Royal Gazette understands the PLP have narrowed their search down to just one potential candidate.

The newcomer will run alongside Carvel Vanputten against sitting United Bermuda Party MPs Erwin Adderley and Gary Pitman.

And the move ends speculation that the PLP might opt to run Mr. Vanputten on his own.

Mr. Scott said: "It's our intention and our desire to replace Mr. Smith with a suitable candidate.'' Lawyer and ex-PLP candidate Philip Perinchief is also running -- as an Independent, campaigning on a pro-Independence stance.

Mr. Perinchief is likely to pull votes away from the PLP rather than the UBP.

And it is understood some PLP pundits felt a single candidate would stand a better chance than two -- especially with Mr. Perinchief's candidacy complicating the contest for the Opposition.