George's South.

A primary now seems certain for the United Bermuda Party. And fresh faces have been canvassing for the Progressive Labour Party and the National Liberal Party.

The constituency, which includes St. David's, Ferry Reach, most of Wellington and Tucker's Town, has been loyal to the UBP since the dawn of party politics.

Incumbent Mrs. Grace Bell, first elected in 1985, said she plans to run again for the UBP and has been busy canvassing.

Fellow incumbent the Hon. Sidney Stallard, a former Transport Minister who has been in office since 1976, has told colleagues he may retire but has not announced a decision.

Two UBP approved candidates, Mr. Custerfield Crockwell and Mr. Richard Spurling, say they plan to run but have yet to file official primary challenges. Under party rules, a primary must be held between 45 and 90 days after a formal written challenge is received.

St. David's resident Mr. Crockwell is a former Police inspector who now drives a taxi and is president of the Taxi Owners' Union -- returning as a UBP member after brief service with the NLP.

Mr. Crockwell said he switched from the UBP to the NLP for the 1989 election because the UBP constitution at the time wouldn't let him challenge the sitting St. George's South MPs.

He won 20.1 percent of the vote in that election, compared with 31.2 percent for Mr. Stallard, 30.7 percent for Mrs. Bell, and 11 percent for Progressive Labour Party candidate Mr. Kenneth Burgess.

Then Mr. Crockwell switched back to the UBP. Mr. Crockwell said he carries "no ill will'' toward the NLP.

"I left the UBP because the constitution wasn't right and I had something to offer...and since they have changed the constitution, I have gone back. It's a simple as that.'' Mr. Spurling, who is a St. George's North resident and the party's St.

George's North chairman, is a lawyer and former Chamber of Commerce president.

His father, the late Sir Dudley Spurling, was a former St. George's South MP and House Speaker.

Mr. Spurling said he wants to know what Mr. Stallard's intentions are before making a final primary decision.

The decision, UBP branch chairman Mr. E. James Woodward said, "will throw a different complexion on the election.'' Mr. Stallard, whose wife has been receiving medical treatment in the US, has been absent from the House for much of the last year.

Speaking from New York yesterday, Mr. Stallard said he wants to return to Bermuda and talk with the branch executive and the proposed UBP candidates before announcing any decision. He is due back on the Island on July 2.

Neither the Progressive Labour Party nor the National Liberal Party has announced its St. George's South candidates.

But the PLP may well have a genuine St. David's Islander with a St. David's name and reputation -- Mr. Arthur Pitcher -- on its ticket for the text election.

Mr. Pitcher, 40, is well known as a former St. David's cricket captain and a member of the St. David's Cricket Club's management board. He has been canvassing the constituency, but yesterday would not say whether or not he expects to represent the party.

The NLP, which lost Mr. Crockwell to the UBP, has not announced a replacement.

But Ms Cheryl Pooley, who ran unsuccessfully for the PLP in Pembroke West Central, has been canvassing the constituency.

Mr. Custerfield Crockwell.