hide some relief -- and a little sadness.

While the final result was large enough to give the Government a mandate to continue their work, some areas had admittedly been closer than many supporters would have hoped.

As news of the confirmation of the outcome from Devonshire South gave the UBP its 22-18 final result the champagne began to flow. Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said: "It is a great result.

"We now have to settle down to get the job done that we promised in our election Blueprint. I have a tremendous respect for the democratic process and we now have to continue to work very hard for the people out there.'' The Premier has promised to continue to concentrate on discussions with the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan over improved trade links. Also high on his agenda is saving the threatened US Naval Air Station.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness was one man who was relieved to take the plaudits of the noisy crowd in the Stables in Hamilton early today. He said: "It was so close I could have easily lost it.'' Minister of Delegated Affairs the Hon. Sir Jack Sharpe and Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons were not so lucky.

Mr. Simons stayed away from the celebrations but Sir Jack was given the loudest welcome of the night but he admitted he would now retire from politics.

He said: "I think there was a headwind that blew across the Country late tonight and I think I was a victim of that. But I am delighted for the party as a whole.'' The Premier and Mr. Edness were particularly distressed at Sir Jack's demise.

But Sir John said: "On the brighter side we have some young people who will now make a formidable and worthwhile contribution to the country. I am pleased for them.'' On Mr. Simons the Premier said: "I very much regret that Gerald Simons didn't make it tonight. He was a good Minister, who devoted so much of his time to education.'' The man who took over the education role earlier this year, the Hon. Clarence Terceira said: "Gerald is a great loss. He is a close personal friend of my family. He is one of Bermuda's unsung heroes, who rarely gets credit for all he's done.'' While the celebrations at the UBP party never really ceased, the volume rose a couple of notches with the entrance of the new stars on the Government horizon.

Southampton West winner the Ms Pamela Gordon, Hamilton West winners Mr.

Maxwell Burgess and Mr. Wayne Furbert and the victor in Pembroke West Central Mr. Jerome Dill received thunderous applause on their entry to the Stables.

Minister of Community Affairs the Hon. Leonard Gibbons rushed to lift a surprised Mr. Burgess off his feet.

A bubbly Ms Gordon said: "It is heartwarming to know that your colleagues believe in you and want to celebrate your victory. It is wonderful!'' The happiest and loudest bunch of all were from the Burgess-Furbert constituency, marching into the hall chanting "Hamilton West! Hamilton West!'' Cheerleading was Mr. Ray Medeiros, who said: "We finally have two representatives who are really in touch with the people.'' Campaign chiefs breathed a sigh of relief as the final results came in. Mr.

Mike Winfield said: "It has been a tough and intensive campaign. We knew it was going to be close going into this.

"But the result in the end was not that close overall, because four votes is a workable majority.

"Probably the biggest result was the removal of the independents and the National Liberal Party. This is a small Country and it should have a strong opposition and good Government without independents to draw people's attention from the issues.'' Mr. Grant Gibbons agreed that the two-party Parliament will now give the public a clearer view of what is going on. Mr. Gibbons said the most important results of the night were in Hamilton West and Pembroke West Central. He said: "We are really pleased to have won in these two areas. But in the end we feel 22 seats is a comfortable victory.''