Former PLP MP El James could be set to make a political comeback. The former Bermuda Cricket Board president and national team manager has been polled in Warwick North Central, currently held by party colleague George Scott.

And Dr. Melvin Dickinson, Director of the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Disabled, has also been polled in that seat as the PLP gets feedback on the popularity of potential candidates ahead of the election likely this summer.

When approached by The Royal Gazette Dr. Dickinson would not confirm he was one of the 67 people vying to fight a seat for the PLP.

Dr. Dickinson has also been polled in neighbouring Warwick West — a reasonably safe UBP seat currently held by Neville Darrell who is retiring.

Mr. James' possible return to politics is something of a shock. He was elected alongside Ewart Brown in Warwick West at the 1998 election which was fought under the dual MP system.

But he languished on the backbenches and was vocal critic of then Premier Jennifer Smith. Mr. James was also known to be opposed to the Register of Interests which lists MPs financial interests and he stood down after just one term in 2003.

Mr. James could not be reached for comment yesterday and it seems unlikely George Scott will be moved from his present seat. He beat UBP challenger Yvette Swan by a comfortable 134 votes last time and is a strong supporter of Premier Brown.

Mr. Scott, who is the Bermuda Industrial Union's Chief Organiser, landed in controversy earlier this year when his complaint to immigration led to a Canadian building site manager being kicked off the island after the pair had a row.

The United Bermuda Party selected Wayne Scott, chief technology officer at Logic Communications, to fight Warwick North Central two years ago.

The Royal Gazette understands Ianthia Wade, the widow of former PLP leader Freddie Wade, has also been polled in the Warwick area for the PLP. Mrs. Wade, a 51-year-old healthcare administrator lives in neighbouring Southampton. She might also have a chance at running in Stanley Lowe's safe Southampton seat if he decides to retire.

Stanley Lowe has represented Southampton East continuously for 30 years and is now Speaker of the House.

Meanwhile the UBP is set to start unveiling more of its candidates in weekly press conferences starting today with Donte Hunt in St. George's South which was held by Government MP Renee Webb by eight votes last time. She has already announced her retirement although a successor has yet to be named.

With the election possibly just weeks away the Opposition have yet to announce candidates in some of the key election battlegrounds including St. George's North and St. George's West where the PLP narrowly won last time.

Former UBP Senator Kenny Bascome has yet to be confirmed in St. George's North after coming just eight votes behind Jennifer Smith last time. However his name is still attached to the area on the UBP website which describes him as a "maverick political activist".

And Senator Kim Swan has not yet been confirmed for St. George's West after coming 22 votes behind Dean Foggo.

One MP indicated Sen. Swan was pushing for a safer seat and might want to placed in Southampton West Central, held comfortably by newcomer Jon Brunson last time.

Sen. Swan, who has three times fought and lost seats in general elections, was born and raised in several spots in the West End, including Death Valley, Southampton.

However Mr. Brunson was a key figure in helping engineer Michael Dunkley's ousting of leader Wayne Furbert so it would be unlikely to be thrown out of a winnable seat even though Mr. Dunkley has himself moved from a safe seat to PLP-held Smith's North.

The UBP has yet to pick a candidate for its safe seat of Hamilton South which Maxwell Burgess is vacating at the coming election. That could also prove tempting for Sen. Swan while former Deputy Premier Jerome Dill might also be interested.

And also up for grabs are the Sandys seats, a parish where the party used to have MPs years ago, although the UBP has lagged way behind in recent elections.

Disgraced former Regiment soldier Anthony Steede, who ran for the UBP in Sandys North Central in 2003, was jailed this week for harassing a 15-year-old girl while Gerald Fubler who fought Sandys North last time is not thought to be involved in the party any longer.