Environment Minister Pam Gordon is set to take the premiership after a two-way battle with United Bermuda Party veteran Irving Pearman, it was predicted yesterday.

But last night she said whoever became leader would have to have the support of the bulk of the party's 21 MPs for the party to forge ahead.

Nominations close on Monday -- but it is understood it will be a straight battle between the young pretender and the member of the party old guard.

But that would mean the youngest serious contender, Deputy Premier Jerome Dill, 35, would have to stand aside -- and mobilise his support behind Ms Gordon.

Ms Gordon, 41, yesterday emerged as the first-choice candidate of a party desperate to emphasise its unity, according to UBP insiders.

And they predict Ms Gordon -- whose personal polls are believed to be sky-high -- will walk away with the party leadership.

Ms Gordon -- speaking yesterday for the first time since Premier David Saul's Wednesday resignation shocker -- confirmed she would be prepared to stand.

She said: "I would consider it an honour to put my name forward.

"I've had a few calls -- I have basically asked my colleagues to take a moment to reflect.

"I have asked them to consider whether they believe I could take the Country forward -- if they believe it, I will take on the challenge.'' But she added: "What we have to determine is the direction the party wants to go in. I have to get a feel for what my colleagues are looking for.

"A problem in relation to the leadership is that it doesn't matter who the leader is if you can't get the full support of your Parliamentary colleagues behind you.

"What I am doing is getting a feel for what my colleagues would be comfortable with. My first concern is to ensure the strength of the UBP.'' Ms Gordon added that she wanted to see a convincing victory, no matter who was chosen.

She said: "They should be as close to election by acclamation as possible.

The best scenario would be acclamation.

"If that is not possible, we need a significant majority -- enough of a majority to determine where we are going.'' Ms Gordon added she personally would think twice before accepting a leadership nomination won on a slim majority.

She said: "I would hope it would never come to that, but I'm not really comfortable answering a question like that because, in my heart of hearts, I would have to think hard about that.

"If you don't have the support to really move forward, it's an unrealistic expectation because that means the Parliamentary party are not willing to be led. That's not an enviable position to be in.'' Because each candidate must be nominated by five sponsors, the maximum number of candidates is only three.

That would leave six MPs who would make the decision on who will lead the party into the next General Election -- and probably the next century.

But Ms Gordon said: "That is not sufficient, in my opinion, to make a determination that your colleagues have accepted you as the leader.

"It means you have won by default -- the party needs more than that at this juncture, going into an election, into the millennium and deciding the direction the party will be going in the future.'' Mr. Pearman is one of five MPs believed to be prepared to take a shot at the top job. Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness has also signalled a willingness to consider putting himself forward.

Gordon tipped for top spot From Page 1 Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge may also be the choice of the senior members of the party.

Mr. Dill was yesterday staying tight-lipped over his intentions. He said after Dr. Saul announced he was quitting the Premiership and standing down from his Devonshire South seat that "a number of discussions have taken place'' -- but declined to say more.

Yesterday he added: "There are still lots of discussions going on, quite frankly. There is certainly no change. We are assessing the situation and various thing will become clear later.'' Mr. Edness -- who had several calls from colleagues asking him to consider standing -- last night appeared to be cooling.

He said: "I haven't made a decision -- I just take all this very seriously.

"What we are all doing trying to do is find someone who is a really dynamic leader for the Country.

"We need someone with charisma to inspire and unite and who can attract energetic new candidates and bring back any of those sectors of the community who might be disenchanted. We are taking a little time to try and find that person.'' Mr. Edness said he had been "absolutely swamped'' with phone calls from people expressing their opinions.

He added: "A lot of these calls have been urging me to make a certain decision.'' But he added: "I have never been a person who wanted to rush into that particular position -- there is more than one way to serve your Country.

"There may be people who want to take that job and who have the right enthusiasm and energy and I would be very happy to provide my experience in assisting them.

"On the other hand, this is a situation which is making all of us think about our positions.'' Mr. Woolridge, thought to be at best a long-shot bet, has declined to comment on his intentions.

Ms Gordon -- like Mr. Woolridge -- ranks high in opinion polls. Some observers believe Mr. Dill, although highly-rated and marked as a future leader, is still too young.