Progressive Labour Party in the next General Election.

The Royal Gazette understands that Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president El James is a leading candidate to run in the crucial Warwick West seat following the shock resignation of grass roots favourite Cromwell Shakir last week.

Last night Mr. James was remaining tight-lipped about his political ambitions.

But when questioned by several Royal Gazette reporters he left open the possibility he would run.

"The party is in the process of naming their candidates for the election -- perhaps you should call them,'' he said.

"I can confirm that I'm a lifelong member of the PLP but other than that I think any announcement from me would be premature.'' Party chiefs were stumped last week when Mr. Shakir pulled out of the Warwick West fight. George Scott who ran a strong fourth in the sonstituency in 1993, had already been assigned to fight in Paget West -- a UBP stronghold -- leaving the party with a difficult vacuum to fill.

Mr. James is seen by many party supporters an ideal candidate with a good chance of stealing a marginal seat from the Government.

A former schoolteacher who now works as a taxi driver, he is well-known throughout the Island and is also regarded highly within the cricketing establishment where he was a stalwart player for Warwick before taking up the reins of the BCBC.

Party officials last night refused to comment on whether or not Mr. James will be standing. A spokesman said: "We are currently making weekly announcements at press conferences every Wednesday on who our candidates are going to be.'' But another PLP candidate chose not to wait for the PLP's weekly press conference and announced she would be running on a radio talk show yesterday.

Sen. Neletha Butterfield officially threw her hat into the election ring in Pembroke West Central where she came a respectable third in 1993.

Senator Butterfield will be fighting the Pembroke West Central seats held by Deputy Premier Jerome Dill and backbencher Ann Cartwright DeCouto.