"BEEN There and Done Dat!" is the thought I reckoned flashed through the minds of leaders in the ruling Progressive Labour Party two days ago when they saw that rather colourful picture of Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons on the steps of the House of Assembly with his candidates for the July 2003 General Election.

Certainly, my history-probing mind snapped and drove me to my files to dig out the old PLP Party line photograph (seen at right) of Opposition Leader Frederick Wade near that exact same spot with his PLP candidates for the February 1989 General Election.

I was chairman of the PLP at the time this photograph was taken, and one of its three senators. It stands out in my mind for two reasons, one potentially as a relic of history about to repeat itself of another Opposition Leader about to bite the dust; and two, because its is an excellent marker of the progression of some significant personalities in our country's political and social history.

From the left in front row is Shadow Minister of Labour & Home Affairs Lois Browne Evans, a former Opposition Leader, now Dame Lois and Bermuda's first political Attorney General since old Lt. Colonel Tom Dill held the position in the House for many years from 1919 onwards.

She decided last week not to seek re-election this time around after a remarkable unbroken run of more than 40 years as an MCP and or MP.

Next to Dame Lois is Shadow Minister of Education Jennifer Smith, now ruler of the roost, the first PLP Premier of Bermuda, the one who called the election.

Next to her, the late and lamented Frederick Wade, then Opposition Leader. Next Cheryl Pooley-Bibby, now a busy mother and housewife; perennial Pembroke West contestant Carvel VanPutten.

In the second row: former Pembroke East MP Roosevelt Brown; BIU leader Dr. Barbara Ball, who spent two terms in the House; youthful Dr. Kathyann White, now deceased; George Scott.

Third Row: ex-MP Eugene Blakeney, then General Secretary of the Public Services Union, who is now in retirement; Derrick Burgess, then a junior executive and now president of the BIU seeking his second term in the House; Senator the Rev. Trevor Woolridge, now an established AME pastor in the United States; David Allen, the then Shadow Minister of Tourism, who passed away several months ago; Stanley Morton, then Shadow Minister of Environment, who has now decided not to seek re-election after a tenure spanning back to 1968; Shadow Minister of Health Nelson Bascome, now the Minister.

Back row: Vernon (Ghandi) Burgess now preparing for his testimonial this coming June 29, as a premier Bermudian musician after 70 years on the stage; Calvin Wales; the then Deputy PLP Leader Walter Roberts, who went into retirement at the last election after being an MP from 1963; Shadow Minister of Works & Engineering Walter Lister, now Deputy Speaker of the House; Shadow Minister of Environment Dennis Lister, now Environment Minister; Shadow Finance Minister Eugene Cox, now the Minister; perennial Paget East candidate Aurelia Burch; the then Party Whip Stanley Lowe, now first PLP Speaker of the House; and Reginald Burrows, who retired last week after being given a testimonial for his 40 years of public service.

We have to confess, after some 14 years, it's a different ball game now, giving efficacy to the old Biblical saying, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". Of course, we will see what we shall see come July 24, 2003.