fight.

Pressure was building yesterday for United Bermuda Party veteran Irving Pearman to withdraw his name from the list of would-be Premiers and leave the field clear for Environment Minister Ms Gordon to take over.

And -- even if Mr. Pearman does stand -- it appears that Ms Gordon would take the leadership by a thumping majority of the 21 MP voters in a young pretender triumph over the party old guard.

The news came as Ms Gordon, Deputy Premier Jerome Dill and Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness met at the Cabinet Office yesterday morning.

Both Mr. Dill and Mr. Edness have also been quoted in the leadership stakes, thrown open by David Saul's shock resignation on Wednesday.

When approached after the meeting, Ms Gordon and Mr. Dill were both playing their cards close to their chest.

But Mr. Dill said: "We have a very good chance of consensus.'' And Ms Gordon said: "That's about as accurate as anything else at this point -- we're still reflecting.

"There is nothing being done until Monday and we are holding off until then.'' Last night Mr. Pearman was also playing a waiting game.

When asked if he might not stand in the interests of a united front, he said: "It's quite a possibility -- that's why I'm watching the options and dynamics of it.'' He added: "It would be very important to Bermuda, having gone through the hiatus experience of the last 18 months to two years, if it could rally around a leader -- that would be wonderful.'' But he said: I'm not giving you a definitive `yes' and I'm not giving you a definitive `no' ''.

Mr. Pearman stressed that he had not put himself forward for leader, but that "a number of colleagues way over the five required'' had come to him.

"It's an evolving situation -- one will have to see what evolves. At the moment, I'm still considering all the options and looking at the way things are going.'' He added, "If I feel quite comfortable on Monday morning, I'll say `Okay, I'm out.' '' It would appear that party feeling is gathering around Ms Gordon as unopposed contender for the leadership.

Ms Gordon has already said the new leader would have to notch up a conclusive victory, no matter who was chosen.

She said election by acclamation was the best route -- but failing that a massive majority would be needed.

And she admitted she would think twice before accepting a nomination based on a narrow win.

One party insider said that Mr. Pearman is all but out of the race to be Premier.

He said: "He knows if he stood he would be heading for defeat.

"But what we don't want is someone elected without a convincing victory -- the objective is to avoid that and this is a unique opportunity to have Pam Gordon in by acclamation.'' Gordon to win without a fight From Page 1 It is understood the three Ministers spent their time at Cabinet Office discussing the leadership and speaking to fellow MPs on the phone.

It would appear that Mr. Dill has thrown his weight -- and that of his supporters -- behind Ms Gordon in a bid to avoid splitting the vote of the MPs who want to see a younger, streetwise party chief.

Mr. Edness, however, yesterday did not rule himself out for a challenge for the top job.

He said: "I haven't decided whether to throw my hat into the ring or whether to withdraw it.

"I'm very much in the running as far as consideration of it is concerned.'' But he stressed: "The one thing I can tell you is that this campaign is not a vituperative one. There is no slanging match taking place -- it's being conducted on a very sensible plane.'' The world of business -- traditionally closely allied with the ruling UBP -- also appear to be backing Ms Gordon over Mr. Pearman.

One member of the business community said: "Both of them bring something to the table which we can live with -- but I personally think Pam Gordon will be the better of the two.'' But another added: "Irving Pearman is the choice of the business world because they've known him and he is a businessman himself -- but they will not be too unhappy with Pamela Gordon, not too unhappy at all.'' And at least one message of support for Ms Gordon was in evidence yesterday.

A handwritten sign saying "Go, Pam, Go'', was attached to a balcony above a nail salon on the corner of Reid and King Streets.

Speculation over an unopposed leader came as popular party warhorse, Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, ended speculation over his candidature by declining to run.

In a short statement, Mr. Woolridge said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of public for their support for me to challenge the position of Premier of Bermuda.

"I appreciate the confidence they have shown in me, but I must decline for personal reasons.'' But Mr. Woolridge -- said to be the public's choice for leader when outgoing Premier David Saul won in 1995 -- signalled he would be happy to serve under a new face.

He said: "I would like to reiterate that I am prepared to serve the United Bermuda Party and the Country to the best of my ability.'' Nominations for the top job have to be with UBP chairman and Senator Gary Pitman by Monday.

If a leadership election is needed, candidates will address the UBP caucus on Tuesday.

Then the 21 MPs will vote by secret ballot on Thursday, with the new leader elected on a first-past-the-post basis.