John Sharpe when he entered the party's headquarters building at 1:15 a.m.

Knocked out of politics after a distinguished 30-year career, Sir John, plainly tired and emotionally upset by his unexpected defeat, played his political future close to his chest.

"It's much too early for me to comment on what comes next,'' he said, adding that, "I would not dream of asking the Premier for a seat in the Senate. I think it should go to someone younger, someone up and coming.

"But there may be some good work that I can do for the party.'' He said, on a personal note, that, "I wouldn't have minded if I'd lost by 100 votes, but 14...'' UBP members lined up to offer their departing stalwart praise. Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, who was recently accompanied by Sir John on his globe-trotting efforts to keep the American Base open, paid tribute to his colleague. "I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sir Jack Sharpe, '' said the Premier.

"He was my mentor and, I am proud to say, my friend. He has been of enormous counsel, and I attribute a lot of my success directly to him.'' The Hon. Quinton Edness, whose Parliamentary career has closely parallelled that of Sir John Sharpe, paid tribute to "one of the greatest servants this Country has ever known. We will miss his wisdom and experience in guiding the Government. How well we can do without him, I don't know.'' Saying that he and Sir John were very close, "almost like brothers,'' Mr.

Edness added, with stress etched clearly on his face, "actually, I don't know how anything will run without Sir Jack. He has done so much at the Cabinet, and the constitutional level.'' The Hon. Clarence Terceira said: "Sir John's family and mine are great friends. He has been a steadying influence in Cabinet and Government.

"He is an incredibly hard worker, who sees beyond the superficial. He's had a good innings, and will be sorely missed.

"While I wish him well in his retirement, I'm sure the Premier will call on him in some capacity: we still need Jack Sharpe.'' The Hon. David Saul was "highly disappointed.'' Looking momentarily downcast, Dr. Saul said: "What a career this man has had. Finance Minister, Premier, and he would have been the Speaker in the new House -- this is a great loss to Bermuda.

"Sir John knows more about Parliamentary procedure than anyone in Bermuda. A place to put him? In the Senate.'' The Hon. Leonard Gibbons mirrored his colleagues' opinions. "Sir John Sharpe has been of great personal assistance to me, a mentor really. After my by-election, he helped me with House procedures. I am very saddened by the loss of his abilities and political savvy both in the House and the Cabinet.'' Mr. Michael Winfield added that "not a single member of the UBP will fail to be saddened by the loss of Bermuda's senior statesman.

"Sir John Sharpe was a gentleman, and a gentle man, who always represented his voters well, as one of Bermuda's longest-serving politicians.

"For his long career to have been ended by a margin of 14 votes is a tragedy, but I have a feeling that Sir John Sharpe's role in the leadership of Bermuda may not be finished.'' Sir Jack Sharpe Colleagues pay tribute to Sir Jack From Page 1 "While I wish him well in his retirement, I'm sure the Premier will call on him in some capacity: we still need Jack Sharpe.'' The Hon. David Saul was "highly disappointed.'' Looking momentarily downcast, Dr. Saul said: "What a career this man has had. Finance Minister, Premier, and he would have been the Speaker in the new House -- this is a great loss to Bermuda.

"Sir John knows more about Parliamentary procedure than anyone in Bermuda. A place to put him? In the Senate.'' The Hon. Leonard Gibbons mirrored his colleagues' opinions. "Sir John Sharpe has been of great personal assistance to me, a mentor really. After my by-election, he helped me with House procedures. I am very saddened by the loss of his abilities and political savvy both in the House and the Cabinet.'' Mr. Michael Winfield added that "not a single member of the UBP will fail to be saddened by the loss of Bermuda's senior statesman.

"Sir John Sharpe was a gentleman, and a gentle man, who always represented his voters well, as one of Bermuda's longest-serving politicians.

"For his long career to have been ended by a margin of 14 votes is a tragedy, but I have a feeling that Sir John Sharpe's role in the leadership of Bermuda may not be finished.'' Sir Jack Sharpe.