Jamahl Simmons, the Opposition United Bermuda Party's latest high profile recruit, is casting a hopeful eye at the upcoming Pembroke West by-election.

Mr. Simmons was until recently, one of the key players in the National Liberal Party. If he is adopted as the candidate to replace retired Gary Pitman, Mr. Simmons may be on a fast track to the House of Assembly - unless of course the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) continues to make inroads in the constituency that used to be a UBP stronghold.

Contacted by The Royal Gazette last night, Mr. Simmons would not say what his level of support might be for his possible candidature.

"My feeling is the party knows I am interested in being a candidate for them but I think it is a matter of having the best person for the district. That's how it is - if the party wants me I will stand," he said.

"I would like to be considered and, sure, if I am considered and asked, I will go."

He said he had no idea that Mr. Pitman was going to retire from politics when he decided to join the party.

But even Mr. Simmons could not speculate on the UBP's chances of keeping the seat. "It's hard to say if one considers the numbers at the last election,'' he said.

At the 1998 general election the PLP's candidate Carvel Vanputten made a relatively strong showing with 521 votes, placing third behind the UBP's Erwin Adderly (821) and Gary Pitman (800). Independent candidate Phil Perinchief, now a civil servant, came in fourth with 324 votes.

While the United Bermuda Party claims to have a number of possible candidates ready to run, other possible contenders are difficult to spot.

And The Royal Gazette understands that no one has as yet emerged as the obvious choice since Mr. Pitman announced his resignation less than two weeks ago.

Party chairman and former Cabinet member Wayne Furbert, who lost his Hamilton West seat in the 1998 election, has in the past expressed his desire to return to Parliament. But he would have to give up the chairmanship to be selected as a candidate.

The National Liberal Party is expected to run someone, though it's anyone's guess who besides perennial candidate Graeme Outerbridge would want to.

On the PLP side there is no dearth of potential candidates. If past practice is followed, Mr. Vanputten will be given another shot at winning the seat. Rodney Smith, who voluntarily withdrew from the 1998 race, is another likely contender.

Both have expressed their interest.

At last count there were 1,663 registered voters in Pembroke West.