Party's adopted candidate in Southampton West.

Mr. Dodwell would join Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon on the UBP ticket.

Tonight's special branch meeting was called after Transport Minister the Hon.

Ralph Marshall, who has represented Southampton West since 1963, announced his retirement from politics on June 16.

Several names have surfaced as possible challengers to Mr. Dodwell's candidacy, and laundry operator Mr. Raymond Davis said he and others planned to trigger a primary.

But yesterday, Southampton West UBP branch chairman Mr. Craig Christensen said he expected Mr. Dodwell would be unopposed. "It doesn't appear that we will receive any other names at this late stage,'' he said.

About 70 UBP members were eligible to vote at the 7 p.m. meeting at Port Royal Primary School.

Mr. Dodwell is president of the Bermuda Hotel Association and owner of The Reefs hotel.

Meanwhile, Progressive Labour Party Leader Mr. Frederick Wade told a news conference yesterday that Southampton West was "up for grabs.'' As the lone PLP candidate in 1989, Mr. Michael Scott made gains there, Mr.

Wade said. "We anticipate that with the addition of another candidate of a similar calibre the PLP will again turn a marginal seat into a PLP seat,'' he said.

Mr. Harry Viera and Mr. Marshall topped the polls in Southampton West in the last general election. Mr. Viera has since left the UBP to sit as an Independent.

He has not said whether he will run again, except that it would not be in Southampton West.

The constituency had not been considered marginal, but "nothing's ever safe,'' Mr. Christensen said. "You can never take anybody for granted.''