SPECULATION of a snap General Election being called in the next few weeks is rampant after the Opposition United Bermuda Party claimed it was the victim of an orchestrated campaign.

Party leader Wayne Furbert made the allegation yesterday following the resignation of party chairperson Gwyneth Rawlins on Wednesday night.

And yesterday afternoon the UBP was dealt another blow when party stalwart and Shadow Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess confirmed that he will not be fighting his seat at the next General Election.

The Mid-Ocean News understands that the Progressive Labour Party is currently polling the electorate about voting intentions, fuelling rumours that Premier Ewart Brown will go to the country once next month's Budget has been ratified by the Senate in March.

Last night Government was remaining tight-lipped about when a General Election will be called. The Premier's press secretary, Scott Simmons, declined to comment on either the prospect of an imminent poll or the turmoil within the UBP ranks.

But a number of Opposition MPs confirmed they expected a General Election to be held in the spring or early summer.

And political commentator and former UBP candidate Christian Dunleavey acknowledged that it would be "logical" for the Premier to call an election soon.

"It's all speculation and I hear rumours that Government still needs to get some of its ducks in a row, but obviously Dr. Brown wants his own mandate and doesn't want to go too far out," Mr. Dunleavey said.

"I think any time after March but before the summer would be an obvious window."

Mr. Dunleavey added he believed that the PLP was trying to "cut the legs from under the UBP" and had in some way influenced the crisis within the party. "But that's just good politics," he added.

At a press conference yesterday, Mr. Furbert denied that the party was facing a crisis and instead talked of "an orchestrated campaign".

Announcing Sean Crockwell as Mrs. Rawlins' successor, Mr. Furbert said: "In stepping down Mrs. Rawlins made several assertions which we consider categorically untrue and downright malicious and which we will address in due course.

"I have to say however, looking back on the events of the past two weeks, what has happened and what has been said, has all the appearances of an orchestrated campaign.

"I want to also confirm that our Parliamentary group met last night to discuss Mrs. Rawlins' resignation and our position. I am pleased to report that we came out of that meeting reaffirming our commitment to each other, to the party, and our commitment to moving ahead and to providing our supporters and the voters of this country with choice and the promise of better government.

"Recent events have hurt us. I don't think there are any of my colleagues who would deny that. We are being tested. But as Dr. King said, 'The measure of a man or a woman is not where they stand in times of peace and prosperity but where they stand in times of adversity and controversy'. I believe that out of adversity comes strength, and that is what I see in my colleagues now more than ever.

"I want people to understand that this party has not lost its focus. We are finalising plans that will go a long way to making this country work better for people, particularly those in the majority who cannot identify with the boast of our living in a country with the highest GDP in the world. Too many of our citizens are being left behind.

"I want you to know that my colleagues and I have a sense of urgency and mission about our work, in part because the PLP in power has been such a huge disappointment.

"For nearly nine years this Government has failed to meet the needs of the people in crucial areas, particularly housing and education. Everyone knows this and I think all of us can agree that it is time to end the indifference. It is time to end the disappointment.

"We want to give this country the kind of government it deserves. We want the people of this country to be united and working together. This PLP Government plays the politics of division. The United Bermuda Party believes there is nowhere for the people of this country to go but together. That is our focus and that is our fervent hope."

Mr. Furbert also moved to quash speculation that Shadow Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess quit because of a rift in the party. Mr. Burgess confirmed that he will not be fighting his seat at the next election.

Mr. Furbert said: "We wish to put an end to the ill-founded rumours with respect to the political future of our colleague and friend, the Hon. Maxwell Burgess.

"Maxwell has served the people of Bermuda for more than 25 years. While he will serve out the rest of his term as a representative for the United Bermuda Party and the people of Hamilton South, he will not seek re-election at the next General Election."