Labour Party's Alaska Hall headquarters last night.

But as the evening wore on a sense of resignation crept in.

It was clear as the clock ticked towards midnight and the last results filtered in over the television screens that it was not to be.

This was not, after all, the night when history would be made and the Opposition would snatch power for the first time.

Hopes of a narrow PLP victory had been replaced by thoughts of a hung Parliament, and then the agonising prospect of defeat.

Nevertheless the party still drew huge comfort from equalling its best ever total of seats -- the 18 it notched up in 1980.

And it had knocked out several United Bermuda Party big guns.

Cheers broke out when it was announced veteran the Hon. Sir John Sharpe had been ousted.

The defeat of Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons was greeted the same way.

So too the demise of UBP incumbent Mr. Philip Smith in St. George's North.

And then there were the true PLP champions of the night.

Mr. Trevor Woolridge and his Hamilton East running mate Ms Renee Webb were the toast of Alaska Hall, as supporters were determined to maintain a party atmosphere.

Warwick West victor Dr. Ewart Brown was hailed a hero as well.

And there were even cheers reserved for losers, such as Hamilton West's Mr.

Julian Hall.

They were met with thunderous applause as they emerged from their battlegrounds to their party HQ, which was festooned with green and white balloons. Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade applauded his battle-weary troops, before the big party.

He told them it had been a night of "mixed fortunes.'' "We have some wonderful new people, and we have lost some wonderful people.

"We are very happy for the support that has been shown us.'' Mr. Wade said the PLP had made some serious inroads into UBP territory.

But he reminded his camp, a lot of hard work lay ahead, and the campaign for the next election started right away.

Mr. Wade paid the National Liberal Party the last rites -- and no one minded a bit.

To a roar of approval, he declared: "We have the final death knell of the NLP. Gilbert Darrell has gone.

"Thank God it is now a UBP and PLP situation, a straight fight between us.'' Mr. Wade vowed he would make life tough for the newly elected UBP Government.

"We will be in the House of Assembly every day, making life miserable for them.'' Mr. Wade added he was hopeful of forcing another election within six months.

And he pledged the PLP would be holding the Government to its manifesto.

"For the first time we have a Blueprint to hold them to. We will count the promises, and hold them to it.'' He rammed the message home. "We shall have a scorecard and hold them to their promises.'' Ms Webb said she had never any doubt about her own triumph.

"I feel victorious. I expected to win, but I also expected the party to win.

"I think people voted our way through a combination of being fed up with the ruling party, and being attracted towards us.'' Ms Webb said her success was also a triumph for women.

And she hoped more women would now follow her path to Parliament.

For her running mate Mr. Woolridge, there was a little piece of history to savour.

He is the first clergymen to be elected to the House.

It was unsurprising, therefore, when he thanked God for his victory. He also had a word for his wife.

To a burst of laughter, he quipped: "I am going home in a few minutes to let my wife congratulate me in the only way she can!'' Some of the returning candidates spared some harsh words for the media.

Defeated Hamilton West candidates Mr. Julian Hall and Mr. Eugene Blakeney, in particular, blamed the Press for undermining their efforts.