Friday's edition of this newspaper is probably an indication that the PLP leadership thinks we will have a October or November General Election.

That, of course, is what much of the public has been thinking. It certainly seemed that Premier Pamela Gordon would want her own mandate from the people and that the UBP would be anxious to cash in on the Premier's popularity.

After all, the present mandate was won by Premier Sir John Swan and we have had the Saul Government in the meantime.

There was also a good deal of thinking that the UBP would want to go to an election before the Gordon Government began to make mistakes. It is clearly too late for that now because the names John Irving Pearman and Colin Coxall would haunt an election held this autumn.

It seemed to us that Colin Coxall's new approach to policing Bermuda, Operation Cleansweep and the drop in crime figures were a big plus for the UBP. Bermudians want the streets and their homes to be safe and they want their children protected from drug pushers. But Colin Coxall is gone and the hunt is on for another Police Commissioner whose appointment is likely to provoke another row.

Added to that the United Bermuda Party does not seem to be geared for an early election. The signs are simply not there. It is a very difficult call.

There is uncertainty about a candidate in St. George's South and there are no announced candidates for the seats the UBP will hope to get back in the marginal districts of Hamilton East, Warwick East and Warwick West. Indeed the UBP regards Pembroke East Central as marginal but has not announced there.

One indication that the PLP is in election mode is the fact that Dale Butler is already campaigning in Warwick East where the second seat is occupied by the controversial Alex Scott. The PLP also seems to be ready with a strong challenge in St. George's South.

Both parties suffer from a number of old faces who should probably retire. The PLP is especially vulnerable to criticism that if it won it would have an old cabinet. The older members of the PLP parliamentary group will be reluctant to retire since they smell victory. The UBP will be loathe to have older members retire if it is thought they can hold their seats, especially marginal seats like Warwick East and West. Either way it is clear that the next election will be the last for a good number of people, win or lose.

Then there is the curious fact that both party leaders seem to go into hiding.

True, both have been more visible in recent days but for weeks it was difficult to work out where they were. That does not signal an early election.