its chest.

Party chiefs declined to say when they would be announcing their full slate of candidates.

Seven UBP candidates have still to be declared in traditional Progressive Labour Party strongholds.

The constituencies include Devonshire North, defended by PLP leader Mr.

Frederick Wade and deputy leader Mrs. Lois Browne Evans.

Another is Pembroke East, held by BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons and Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome.

The remaining two are Southampton East and Pembroke East Central.

Yesterday UBP executive officer Mr. Joe Gibbons stressed the party would be contesting all constituencies, with a full slate of 40 candidates.

But he said there was "ample time'' to announce the remaining candidates before the election.

Asked when the election would take place, he replied: "Certainly not this month!'' He said the four constituencies where UBP candidates had still to be announced were PLP strongholds.

"There is no point in us being dragged too early into declaring our candidates.

"We feel pretty confident we will have a very strong slate of candidates.'' Mr. Gibbons said although the PLP had announced candidates, there was little new blood.

This contrasted with the UBP which expected to have a number of fresh faces in the next Parliament, he said.

UBP campaign chairman Dr. Grant Gibbons was giving little away yesterday about election candidates. "I think it would be premature of me comment,'' he said.