Parliamentary candidate in the Warwick West constituency, according to party insiders.

Mr. Shakir is branch favourite to join up with the Progressive Labour Party's Dr. Ewart Brown in a bid to unseat United Bermuda Party Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness.

Dr. Brown squeezed out Sir John Sharpe by just 14 votes at the last General Election.

But Mr. Edness took more than a quarter of the total votes cast to lead the poll from Dr. Brown, who took the same 25.1 per cent share of the vote.

Earlier this year, Mr. Shakir signed up for the Ambassadors for Peace scheme at violence-hit Warwick Secondary. The scheme was introduced and backed by Dr.

Brown.

And last year he hit the headlines as part of a protest outside the House of Assembly over the Tim Smith affair.

Mr. Shakir, a barber shop owner, and three other picketed the House after off-the-cuff remarks made by Mr. Smith about a planning appeal from UBP rebel Trevor Moniz were picked up by a live microphone and broadcast.

Mr. Smith was later transferred from the Environment Ministry to Youth and Sport -- sparking the protest demanding he be sacked from the Cabinet altogether.

At the time, Mr. Shakir said he was a PLP member but insisted the protest had not been prompted by the Opposition.

Mr. Shakir could not be contacted to confirm his candidacy yesterday.

But Dr. Brown said: "The branch has forwarded Mr. Shakir's name to be ratified -- it would be a bit premature to say he has got it, but he is the choice of the branch.'' The news comes as UBP polling in several key constituencies draws to an end.

Pollsters have been active in Warwick West and East, Hamilton East and West and St. George's South.

The UBP does not release polling results -- but it is understood the results may spell the end of the political road for veteran UBP MP Grace Bell in St.

George's South.

Government Whip Rick Spurling held the seat with Parliamentary Secretary Women's Issues, Community and Cultural Affairs Mrs. Bell at the 1993 General Election -- but Mrs. Bell notched up just 41 votes more than third-placed PLP candidate Arthur Pitcher.

Now the UBP may wish to run a fresh face with Mr. Spurling in a bid to ensure both seats stay in Government hands.

Possible UBP candidates in Warwick East -- currently split between Environment Minister Irving Pearman and Shadow Home Affairs Minister Alex Scott, include new UBP Senator E.T. (Bob) Richards.

Sen. Richards, son of Bermuda's first black Premier Sir Edward Richards, was born and brought up in Warwick East. Other possible candidates include David Dunkley and Sanders Frith-Brown.