yesterday.

And leading the line-up of one lawyer and two ex-Civil Servants was Progressive Labour Party leader Jennifer Smith.

Ms Smith has signed up ex-Ministry of Finance official Delaey Robinson for her running mate in St. George's North, replacing Leon (Jimmy) Williams, who is too ill to fight again.

And former senior Tourism Department man Randy Horton will team up with Magistrate Arthur Hodgson to battle in Hamilton West.

Party chairman Victor Fishington read a letter from Mr. Williams, who has been in hospital for weeks, in which he officially bowed out of the political scene.

The letter said "it is with great regret and sorrow that I write this letter withdrawing my candidacy for the next General Election.'' And it added: "I know that you will understand when I say that, after careful consideration, this letter is tearfully written.'' Mr. Williams added he had hoped to be fit to contest his seat again with Ms Smith.

But he said that -- with signs of a General Election in the offing -- he had to "reluctantly face the reality'' that "walking the hills of St George's with my leader would not improve my health.'' Mr. Williams, however, pledged to do what he could to ensure Mr. Robinson took his old seat in the House of Assembly.

Ms Smith said she would "certainly miss'' Mr. Williams on the hustings in the old town.

But she said she believed his encouragement would "spur us all on'' to repeat the PLP clean sweep in the constituency.

Ms Smith added: "I think he should concentrate on getting well...we will take his best wishes with us when we campaign throughout the St. George's North constituency.'' The Royal Gazette revealed the PLP's final four selections on Tuesday.

Mr. Robinson, who owns and operates Aunt Nea's Guest House in St. George's, said he had been active behind the scenes for the party in St. George's for years.

He added that the Country needed to focus more attention on children and teenagers.

Mr. Robinson said: "They're not getting it and I believe under a PLP Government that will change.'' He added: "Our society is facing crises -- this is a worldwide thing and I don't think our current Government is facing these challenges.'' Mr. Robinson who served 17 years in the Civil Service and took a five year break to go globe-trotting, said his overseas experience was as valuable as his time in the corridors of power.

He said: "Working in the Civil Service, I was working for all the people of Bermuda. My concern there was to see that the tax dollar was well spent.'' Mr. Robinson worked with the political branch Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, based in the Northern Territories. He also worked in West Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

Mr. Horton -- who quit the Tourism Ministry in December last year -- had been suspended since 1995 on alleged charges of conspiring to commit fraud involving $3000.

He was accused with taxi driver Weldon Dowling, but Senior Magistrate Will Francis ruled he was not convinced beyond reasonable doubt of Mr. Horton's guilt and cleared him.

Mr. Dowling was also cleared because a conspiracy charge needs more than one person to be involved. Mr. Horton said yesterday he did not expect the controversy surrounding the case to hurt his chances. He added: "The court has spoken -- I am now a representative for Hamilton Parish West and I have nothing else to answer in that regard.'' Mr. Horton added: "I have no resentment -- I feel very happy with my situation in life.'' Mr. Hodgson -- Bermuda's first black Rhodes Scholar and still serving as a Magistrate -- cannot officially take part in the political process until he formally quits the bench in the run-up to a General Election.

See Editorial: Page 4 Delaey Robinson Jennifer Smith Randy Horton Arthur Hodgson