DeCouto will fight another day, it was revealed last night.

For the two were unanimously reselected as candidates for the constituency, lost in the PLP November 9 landslide.

Outgoing constituency chairman Terry West said the mood of the meeting was optimistic and upbeat.

He added: "We're not going away -- we thank the community for the broad support we had and for the support shown to the two MPs we had.'' Pembroke West Central was the last result to come in and with the narrowest margins of failure -- by 65 votes for Mr. Dill and 71 for Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto.

The seat was taken by the PLP duo of ex-top cop Wayne Perinchief and one-time Senator Neletha Butterfield.

Mr. West said: "They are now the adopted candidates and they will be dealing with the issues, like they did as Ministers and MPs, but now as representatives of the UBP in this constituency -- and probably they will have more time to do that than they had.'' He added: "Both have an enormous amount of experience in domestic and international affairs.

And he said: "There are storm clouds on the horizon and we will need that experience to see us through.'' Mr. West was replaced by Robert Stubbs, son of former Paget East MP, the late Dr. John Stubbs.

Mr. Stubbs said: "I'm delighted -- we're going to be in the process of rebuilding and I'm proud to be part of it.'' Former Deputy Premier and Development and Opportunity Minister Jerome Dill could not be contacted for comment last night.

But earlier, Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said her "first loyalty'' was to Pembroke West Central and said she would fight for a seat in the House of Assembly again.