Bermuda's would-be third force in politics yesterday unveiled its first two candidates for the upcoming General Election.

And -- as predicted by The Royal Gazette -- Edwin Armstrong will stand in Devonshire North.

He will team up with Frances Breary to take on Lois Browne Evans and Paula Cox in the PLP stronghold for the National Liberal Party.

For retired insurance salesman Mr. Armstrong -- who ran in the seat in 1996 after the death of PLP leader Frederick Wade -- it is the second time around.

But former hotel manager Ms Breary -- though active behind the scenes in the NLP -- will be a first-time candidate.

And party chief Charles Jeffers confirmed the NLP would be fighting a tactical war.

He said: "The basic strategy of the NLP...is one of limited but calculated involvement.

"In this way, we will be able to concentrate all of our resources on those constituencies in which we have chosen to place candidates.'' Mr. Jeffers said it was hoped the NLP would "gain a good percentage of the popular vote'' on their picked battlegrounds.

He added: "These points are significant to us as we are convinced that our future growth and success will come after this election, regardless of which party forms the next Government.'' The party is understood to be banking on a rush of defections from the losing party -- boosting their chances of finally forming an effective third power bloc in Parliament.

And he unveiled what the party -- which lost its sole MP in the 1993 General Election -- hopes will be a winning slogan.

Mr. Jeffers said: "After much thought, soul-searching and brainstorming we have decided that the most appropriate motto for the NLP for this election should be `Let Us Be Your Voice'.

"Our message to the voters is simple -- elect your NLP candidates and you will have voices that will speak up and offer possible solutions for the issues which are the contributing factors to the social dilemma in which we find ourselves.''