The Paget West by-election is poised to become a scrap between party bigwigs and grassroots constituency members.

The sudden death of sitting MP Madeline Joell at the weekend has set the scene for a battle for the heart and soul of the party.

The Royal Gazette understands branch members are prepared to fight plans to import a UBP big name who lost a seat in the PLP General Election landslide.

And Paget West opinion appears to be moving in favour of a branch insider untainted by last November's hammering -- and with left-of-centre credentials.

But other party members insist there are enough inexperienced newcomers in the House -- and that experience is needed more than fresh faces.

Tipped as main candidates to fight the seat for the UBP are ex-Deputy Premier Jerome Dill and former Minister Maxwell Burgess.

But one branch insider said: "If they go for one of the established names, they haven't learned anything from the election message of November, 1998.'' He added: "They were both part of the 1998 election team -- and I think that, frankly, that group were just a bit out of touch.'' And he predicted that if the party is to revive its fortunes, it will have to bring in new faces.

The insider said: "They will have to go outside -- particularly as the party has had thoughts about changing its name and changing its identity.'' Ms Joell's shock death from a burst blood vessel in the brain at the weekend -- after only weeks as an MP -- means the first by-election of the new Parliament.

The insider said: "No-one expected this to happen and it's a terrible tragedy.

"But it offers a new test for the UBP on what it thinks of its new direction and new identity -- they will answer this question in the by-election.'' Party chiefs are understood to favour an ex-MP as the candidate, but the Paget West branch could be veering towards a newcomer from inside the area. The Paget West insider said: "The party has two things to consider -- being an effective Opposition and being a credible alternative Government.

UBP split over Paget West "We could go back into the archives of the UBP -- but it's widely accepted among most of the party that it can't emerge with a new identity if doesn't go outside its current people and bring in someone new -- maybe left of centre.'' He added that politics across the world seemed to moving away from party dogma to a more people-centred approach.

And he warned: "The PLP also have to be wary of this -- in order to maintain their popularity, they will have to be very conscious of their people base.'' UBP chiefs are understood to want the matter settled quickly -- and without a primary.

One party member said: "We have enough new faces in there -- what we need is experienced people.'' And he warned that a civil war was the last thing the UBP needed as it begins its rebuilding process.

Mr. Dill declined to comment on his intentions, while Opposition Senate leader Maxwell Burgess has not returned calls from The Royal Gazette -- but he is understood to be keen.

Outsiders in the race include Sen. Patricia Gordon Pamplin, Ann Cartwright DeCouto and ex-Sen. E.T. (Bob) Richards -- all of whom also failed to win or retain seats at the General Election.

The PLP -- although yet to meet to pick a candidate -- is likely to go with George Scott, who fought the seat in the General Election.

One senior party member said: "If I were a betting man, I'd bet on George -- but you never can tell.'' Yesterday, the National Liberal Party added its voice to praise for Ms Joell, 39 -- a top businesswoman and star golfer as well as a new MP.

In a poetic tribute, the NLP's Graeme Outerbridge said: "Madeline Joell was vivacious, intelligent and beautiful. She was a fresh and vital newcomer to Bermuda politics, with the promise of a long and gifted future.

He added: "We are stunned and it seems impossible that a person with all the qualities of life has been far too quickly taken from us.'' Ms Joell, 39 -- an MP for only three months -- died suddenly of a suspected burst blood vessel in the brain at the weekend.

The top ACE executive, star golfer and former Miss Bermuda is expected to be buried after a funeral service at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton on Thursday at 3 p.m.

ACE will close its doors on Thursday afternoon as a mark of respect to Ms Joell.

Maxwell Burgess