Bermuda Party's stranglehold on Southampton West.

Mr. David Dodwell, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, was approved at a special branch meeting by a 44-1 vote.

He was the only candidate.

Mr. Dodwell joins another newcomer, the Hon. Pamela Gordon, on the UBP ticket.

Sen. Gordon, who is Minister of Youth and Sport, was chosen to succeed Mr.

Harry Viera after he split from the party to sit as an Independent.

"I'm very pleased that they selected me,'' Mr. Dodwell said after the meeting. "I assured them that if I was successful, that their faith in me would not be misplaced.'' Mr. Dodwell said he wanted to "put something back into the community,'' and looked forward to working with the "bright and talented'' Sen. Gordon. He said it would be difficult to fill the shoes of Transport Minister, the Hon. Ralph Marshall, who recently announced his retirement after representing Southampton West for 30 years. The UBP has held both seats in the constituency since party politics began.

Mr. Dodwell, 45, is making his first bid for elected office but is no stranger to Government.

He sits on the board of Tourism, Immigration, the West End Development Corporation, and the tourism committee of the Premier's Commission on Competitiveness, as well as Bermuda College.

A member of the Sandys Rotary Club, Mr. Dodwell was named Bermuda's Hotelier of the Year in 1992.

Born in Bermuda and a graduate of Saltus Grammar School, Mr. Dodwell studied hotel administration at Cornell University before returning to the Island in 1971. After a short stint at Cambridge Beaches, he joined The Reefs and has been with the hotel ever since. He became owner in 1981.

Mr. Dodwell said he will complete his two-year term as president of the BHA in October, allowing him more time to devote to politics. He was also president of the Hotel Employers of Bermuda from 1985 to 1988 and is active in the Caribbean Hotel Association.

Recently divorced, Mr. Dodwell has four children age five to 17.

Mr. Marshall, who pledged his support for the UBP hopefuls, received a tribute from branch deputy chairman Mrs. Joan Munro and two standing ovations. About 80 people attended the meeting at Port Royal Primary School.

Mr. Craig Christensen, the branch chairman, said he was pleased with the turnout on the Friday one week before Cup Match.

Mr. David Dodwell.