weeks before the General Election, it was revealed yesterday.

And Harry Soares -- Environment Minister and Paget West MP -- could set to be replaced by golf star and insurance company executive Madeleine Joell as Education Minister Tim Smith's running mate.

But yesterday 15-year-political veteran Mr. Soares, 54, was keeping his cards close to his chest and declined to comment on his future intentions.

He added, however: "Nothing is cast in stone and I have been around a long time.

"Like any prudent person, I regularly consider what I'm doing in life and where I'm going -- I presume everybody does that.'' But party insiders confirmed Mr. Soares was taking a serious look at his future -- and that he was odds on to quit.

One said: "I understand he is actively considering retiring -- but it's early days at the moment -- we'll just have to wait and see.'' He added: "Harry has been an extremely loyal and hard-working MP and Minister -- we'd all be sorry to see him go, but it is his decision at the end of the day.'' Ms Joell was in the running for Hamilton East, to run alongside Sen. Angelita Fox.

Soares to resign But she was beaten out by architectural designer Stephen West for the seat, currently held by PLP MPs Renee Webb and Derrick Burgess.

Yesterday Ms Joell said she had heard nothing about Mr. Soares considering a change in direction.

But she added: "As I have said all along, I will do whatever I can to help the party.

"And if the party and the branch were interested in having me there, I would consider that.'' Ms Joell said, however: "I think any speculation along these lines is jumping the gun a bit.'' Before taking over at Environment in May this year, Mr. Soares served more than a year on the backbenches.

Previously, he had held the reins at the old Health and Social Services Ministry, now Health and Family Services.

Mr. Soares, elected to Parliament in 1983, first achieved Ministerial office in 1983, when he briefly took over the Tourism portfolio.

It is understood he stood down from Tourism in the interests of party unity and was succeeded by C.V. (Jim) Woolridge.

Mr. Soares later served short a short stint holding in both the Transport and Youth and Sport Ministries at the same time, before concentrating on Youth and Sport.

The former managing partner of Arthur Andersen -- who quit his prestige job in 1985 for the much slimmer rewards of an MP -- served on several Government boards before entering the political fray, although he still retains business interests.

Among his achievements as chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board was leading an Island-wide fund-raising drive to buy a hi-tech CAT scanner for the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.