Bermuda Party's caucus after less than four years as an MP.

For late last night, party chairman and Senator Gary Pitman confirmed the midnight deadline for candidates for the Cabinet Office had passed -- with only Ms Gordon's name in the frame.

And Ms Gordon -- in her first-ever interview as leader of her party -- said early this morning: "I'm humbled, pleased and honoured.'' The new Premier will also become the first woman ever to lead her Country in its near 400-year history.

She admitted: "It's daunting -- I suppose this is supposed to be a time when you can find something profound to say. It's an awesome responsibility and I know, with the support of all my colleagues who made it possible -- because without them none of it would have been possible -- we will go forward.

"I will be able to be as good as the people around me and only as good as the people around me.'' Ms Gordon put down her election by acclamation to "a new maturity'' in the party.

She said: "This is a fitting tribute to the start of a new day for the United Bermuda Party.

"I believe that the party is at a turning point and what we wanted to project is that it's not `business as usual'.

"We have been accused of being aloof and distant -- that the UBP Government is strictly a business party and that we separate ourselves from the needs of the people.

"It was time to show we are not as far removed from the people as some would like to believe.

"We recognise that Bermudians and the voters of Bermuda are tired of infighting and they want to know that there are people who will be representing their interests and not each individual's interests.

"Myself coming forward and my colleagues rallying around me -- a young woman who happens to have a high degree of sensitivity -- I think it's because I'm very conscious of other people and their feelings.

"I recognise that nobody is the first choice for everyone, but I'm extremely humbled my colleagues have decided to give me a shot and that together we can move forward to winning the next election.'' Ms Gordon -- the daughter of legendary labour leader Dr. E.F. Gordon -- said she thought her father would have been proud.

"His struggle and his fight was for doing the right thing for people and creating a sense of equality and fairness,'' she said. "And what I am doing is carrying on that legacy -- but using a different method to get to the end.'' Sen. Pitman said: "The party officers are delighted the transition from one leader to another has taken place so smoothly and that the support for Ms Gordon within the party is overwhelming.

"The unity and stability benefits all of Bermuda.'' He added: "I'd like to be among the first to congratulate the Premier-designate -- her victory holds special significance for the women of Bermuda, who won the right to vote just a little over 50 years ago.

Gordon Bermuda's first woman Premier "Her energy, enthusiasm and vision will carry the UBP and Bermuda forward into a 21st Century full of promise and opportunity.'' Ms Gordon will officially move from her current job at the Environment Ministry to the hot seat at the Cabinet Office on Thursday.

Outgoing Premier David Saul, who will officially quit the Cabinet Office on Thursday, is understood to have had Ms Gordon in mind for his successor -- although he declined to name his favourite for the job after resigning last Wednesday.

And he said last night: "I am not going to make any public comments until the new Premier has been sworn in.'' But those close to the retiring party chief said he was privately "ecstatic'' at the news of the walkover.

Devonshire South MP Dr. Saul added he had no qualms about his decision to quit the top job and politics.

He said: "There are no regrets at all. I achieved exactly what I set out to achieve.'' Education Minister Jerome Dill -- initially tipped as one of the party's bright sparks with a good chance of capturing the leadership -- last night explained for the first time why he chose not to stand.

He said: "I didn't challenge for two reasons -- there is a great deal to be done in the Ministry of Education and Human Affairs and we have tremendous momentum on both the Human Affairs side and more particularly the Education side.

"We are daily picking up public support for the restructuring of schools and I am committed to seeing it through.

"And, as soon as the Premier indicated his decision to resign, I pledged my support to Pam Gordon and have been working diligently ever since then to make sure she won our party's nomination.

"For me, it's a matter of principle -- you can't commit to support someone and then flirt with the idea yourself. I gave it no consideration at all.'' Ms Gordon's nomination was received by party chairman Sen. Gary Pitman at the UBP's Hamilton headquarters yesterday afternoon.

She was nominated by Deputy Premier and Education Minister Jerome Dill, Tourism Minister David Dodwell, Health and Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira, Transport Minister Wayne Furbert and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness.

A UBP insider last night said the nominations showed that "we've put the `united' back in the United Bermuda Party''.

He added: "The support comes from what's been called the old guard and the younger members of the party, well-respected Ministers and even the rebels -- we're back on track.'' Irving Pearman, who said he might stand if Ms Gordon was opposed, last night pulled out of the race and pledged his support to the new regime.

Mr. Pearman said: "Pamela has my best -- I will not be standing. I shall be supportive of her.

"I recognise the need for strong leadership and also appreciate the need for change and Pamela can bring that change with the right support from people who have been there, held senior Ministries and who can help develop a philosophy and the way forward for the party.

"I am there to give her that support and so, I'm quite satisfied, are other members of the United Bermuda Party.'' PREMIER VIP WOMEN WOM