seat soon to be vacated by outgoing Premier David Saul.

Mr. Dunkley -- now officially in the frame for Devonshire South -- is the first candidate to declare himself for either of the two United Bermuda Party seats made vacant by the retirements of Dr. Saul and former Premier Sir John Swan (Paget East).

In Sir John's constituency, front runners are Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte and UBP deputy chairman David Sullivan. Former Women's Advisory Council chairman Kim Young is also thought to be a possible.

Mr. Dunkley, vice president of Dunkley's Dairies, said yesterday: "I will be standing -- I have had quite a lot of support in the consituency with regard to putting my name forward and I decided to do what I can.'' It is thought a fight for the Paget East nomination is certain, with as many as three candidates expected to battle it out for the nomination.

But it is understood that Mr. Dunkley, the favourite in Devonshire South, may well be the only candidate for the UBP safe seat -- although party chiefs are believed to want a contest to show the health of the party and allow another would-be MP a practice run .

But Devonshire South branch chairman Grace Young said: "We are having our meeting on Monday and anyone who is going to come forward will do so then.'' Mr. Dunkley said: "I have no idea what will happen -- but whatever happens is fine, I'm willing to face any challenge. I wouldn't put my name forward if I didn't think I was the man.'' The father-of-two has lived in the constituency all his life -- regarded as important to voters in the area. He is a former branch chairman and has worked closely with Dr. Saul and his running mate John Barritt.

Mr. Dunkley considered standing in Devonshire South a few years ago -- but backed out in favour of Telecommunications Minister John Barritt.

Progressive Labour Party leader Jennifer Smith said no decision had been made on candidates for the two seats, which are regarded as rock-solid UBP.

She said: "We recognise that this is coming up and certainly we are looking at what we should do -- whether we run candidates in both of these constituencies and who the candidates might be.

"We will have to consider everything before we come to a decision. Within the next week or so, we will have arrived at what we are going to do.'' Charles Jeffers, leader of the Island's smallest party, the National Liberal Party, said NLP bosses had already decided not to contest Sir John's Paget East seat.

But he said: "We will run a candidate in Devonshire South -- two names are being bandied about, both of whom have been involved in politics for some time.'' He added: "You will appreciate at this stage we want to get our ducks in a row before releasing the party's decision.'' And Mr. Jeffers admitted a good showing in Devonshire South was vital to the party's hopes of re-establishing themselves in the run-up to a General Election.

He said: "It's what you might call an election year -- it will certainly impact on possible candidates and people who might be thinking about supporting us.

"People want to feel pretty confident their choice will make it. We have a really tough battle on our hands -- but the race is not to the swift, but to those who endure to the end.'' UBP potential candidates for the two seats must come from the party's list of about 30 approved candidates with sponsorship from the branches involved.

If there is more than one candidate in one or both seats, primaries will have to be held to pick the candidate.