The Progressive Labour Party rolled out its first election candidate today as MP George Scott announced he would be moving to fight UBP-held Warwick West.

It's understood it is the second time Mr. Scott has changed his mind on the issue after initially agreeing to switch from Warwick North Central, which he won easily at the last election, only to refuse.

But at a brief press conference at Neville Tatem (Spice Valley) Middle School today Mr. Scott confirmed he would take on the challenge.

He will try to overturn a 170-vote Opposition majority as he takes on lawyer Mark Pettingill.

Premier Ewart Brown said he had fought side-by-side with Mr. Scott in the 1993 election under the old dual-seat system.

He said: “He has the deepest roots in Warwick of us all. I am really impressed with his willingness to not just serve in 27 but to answer the party's call for a candidate in 28.

“We intend to win this seat so therefore it took a while for us to find a winner.”

Ianthia Wade, the widow of Progressive Labour Party legend Freddie Wade, had originally been selected by the Warwick West PLP branch but party bosses over-ruled that and offered it to both Melvin Dickinson and Raymond Tannock who turned it down.

Both Mr. Scott and Premier Brown refused to answer questions at today's press conference and there was no word on when the election might be held.

First elected in 2003 with a healthy 134-vote majority George Scott, who is the Bermuda Industrial Union's Chief Organiser, was a vocal supporter of Ewart Brown when he launched his leadership campaign last year. But he was left to languish on the backbenches when Dr. Brown became Premier.

It's thought former Warwick MP El James will be selected to run in Mr. Scott's current seat.

* See tomorrow's Royal Gazette for full story and reaction.