run in must-win Warwick West.

The Royal Gazette understands the Premier -- who currently sits in safe United Bermuda Party Southampton West -- is mulling over standing in a marginal seat in a bid to guarantee her Government stays in power.

It would be the first time in Bermuda's political history that a Premier had changed seats for a General Election.

And -- if Quinton Edness, who stepped down from Cabinet on Wednesday opts to retire altogether from his Warwick West seat -- the Premier could grab the chance to cash in on her sky-high popularity in the crucial Warwick West constituency.

That would mean she would team up with Sen. Yvette Swan in a UBP combination against a seat currently split between Mr. Edness and Oppostion MP Ewart Brown.

According to UBP insiders, the Premier is considering several options in the run-up to a General Election.

And she is believed to have looked at various possibilities to boost the party's chances of victory.

The Premier yesterday was playing her cards close to her chest -- but did not rule out a move.

She said: "Right now, I represent Southampton West and I'm elected to represent my constituents.

"In politics, a day is a long time and you can never rule anything out.'' But she added: "It would be outrageous for anyone in politics to say `never' -- but as it stands, it's not an issue at the moment.'' Premiers traditionally represent safe seats -- allowing them room to manoeuvre and travel the Country supporting their MPs.

One factor counting against the Premier taking on a new constituency for a General Election is that the amount of work required on new ground would cut into time available for boosting colleagues during a campaign -- and that will likely heavily influence the Premier's decision.

Mr. Edness -- a veteran of the 1968 election which propelled the just-formed United Bermuda Party to power -- stepped down from his Labour and Home Affairs Ministry to return to the backbenches in a Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday.

And he signalled he might be considering retiring from politics altogether before the next General Election.

He said minutes after the changes were announced that he had been discussing his future with his branch, party colleagues and friends.

But he stressed there was "nothing definitive'' and added, if he chose to ran, he was sure he would retain his seat. And he said he would continue canvassing "until such time any other decision is made.''