election, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

But it is understood that an autumn campaign is still the favoured choice of party insiders.

The Premier -- currently in the US for the RIMS insurance conference -- is believed to be considering going to the Country in June with a short, sharp three-week election campaign following a Cabinet reshuffle.

One United Bermuda Party insider said yesterday: "There is always an outside chance it could be June.'' But he poured cold water on broadcast reports that the Premier had banned MPs from taking holidays around the May 24 holiday. Parliament reconvenes on Friday, May 9.

The insider said: "An election is coming and people have to canvass -- but to say she has banned them from going on holiday is untrue.'' Another party source added: "She certainly said while the House is in session, members should be there.

"But these reports that everyone has been told not to travel are just a screw-up.'' The UBP historically do not favour summer elections -- the 1993 contest was held in October, while the 1989 tussle was held in February. The 1985 General election was also an end-of-the-year affair.

Possibility of a snap election Next month appeared to be favourite with the UBP at the start of this year.

But a Hamilton East hammering of Government candidate Francis Furbert by BIU boss Derrick Burgess in February -- amid UBP admissions of a miscalculation -- may have caused a rethink by Ms Gordon.

The Premier is also considering her options for a reshuffle in order to take her own Cabinet into an election.

It is understood the Premier is still considering her choices for seats in the Cabinet and that nothing has been finalised yet.

But newcomer Paget East MP Kim Young, an ex-nurse with a background in health and social issues, could make her Cabinet debut in the Health and Social Services Ministry.

And ex-Government Senate Leader Gary Pitman, who won a by-election in Pembroke West and was Minister without Portfolio while in the Senate, could return to Cabinet as Labour and Home Affairs Minister, replacing current Minister Quinton Edness. Mr. Edness -- who has been holding the Health and Social Services portfolio since the Dr. Clarence Terceira quit politics -- could also be primed to step into that role full-time.

Deputy Premier Jerome Dill -- who suffered a recent stroke -- is reckoned to have done an outstanding job with the difficult Education portfolio and the massive restructuring of the school system.

But he could be in line to take over from veteran Irving Pearman in the less controversial Environment Ministry.