a new Cabinet.

While the election provides him with the opportunity to make wholesale changes, the upcoming shuffle should see only a few adjustments to cover the gaps it created.

They will set the stage for a much larger shuffle, possibly in the New Year.

Sir John's Cabinet plan will also require the naming of a new batch of Senators.

He has three Cabinet vacancies to fill as a result of Tuesday's vote: in Mr.

Gerald Simons' Environment Ministry, in Sir John Sharpe's Delegated Affairs Ministry and in the Transport Ministry, left open by the Hon. Ralph Marshall, who retired from politics after 30 years.

The Premier is expected to use the opportunity to put some of his newly elected MPs and `comers' into the Cabinet.

Top of the list will be the Hon. Maxwell Burgess, whose stunning victory paves the way for his return to Cabinet.

Premier Swan will be keen to reward Mr. Burgess for setting an example to his UBP colleagues of how to win. He will also want to reward Hamilton West for supporting him.

Mr. Burgess, who at 40 is one of the UBP's youngest MPs, could return to his Youth and Sport portfolio where he might be able to open Government to young people.

Premier Swan is also likely to pick Ms Pamela Gordon, who won in Southampton West. She wet her feet as Minister of Youth and Sport while sitting in the Senate and could be given the weighty Health, Social Services and Housing Ministry, now held by party veteran the Hon. Quinton Edness.

Mr. Edness, whose Warwick West victory was one of the most important wins for the United Bermuda Party, could be moved over to the less demanding Delegated Affairs portfolio.

In the Senate, the Premier will likely return the Hon. Mike Winfield -- one of his closest advisors -- to the post of Government Leader of the Upper Chamber.

He may use the Senate to put the spotlight on Mr. Grant Gibbons, who was chairman of the UBP election campaign and is considered one of the Party's brightest prospects. A Cabinet post for Mr. Gibbons, possibly the Environment, is not out of the question.

Political veterans who will stay at their posts -- at least for the time being -- include Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira, Tourism Minister the Hon. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman, Works Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto and Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul.

Sir John may use his new Cabinet announcement to promote Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Mr. Leonard Gibbons to the Transport Ministry.

Government's new batch of MPs contain some credible Cabinet possibilities but it is expected the Premier will first take his measure of them as they cut their Parliamentary teeth as backbenchers.

The new group includes hotelier Mr. David Dodwell, lawyers Mr. Richard Spurling and Mr. Trevor Moniz and business manager Mr. Wayne Furbert.

The other task facing Premier Swan is to select an MP to sit as Speaker of the House of Assembly.

The job was to have been the crowning glory of a 30-year career in public service for Sir John Sharpe, until he fell to defeat on Tuesday.

In his stead, the only likely candidate ready to take Parliament's hot seat is long-time deputy Speaker Mr. Ernest DeCouto.