The United Bermuda Party faction bidding to oust Jamahl Simmons as candidate for Pembroke West say they aim to allow the whole branch to vote on the matter if they are successful in grabbing key positions tonight.

A source said a primary would help solve the row which has been a running sore and has split the branch.

He said: ?Nothing has been done. People are still complaining but Central have closed their eyes.?

The faction blame Mr. Simmons for neglecting constituency matters. Tonight?s vote will see the branch chairman, deputy chairman and committee members elected. The new branch executive will later pick the five local representatives on the candidate selection committee.

However, the central party has five members on that committee. The spokesman for the anti-Simmons faction said they wanted to put the decision in the 200-odd members of the branch.

?We want the members to make the decision of whether it is another candidate or Jamahl Simmons.?

However, the source said it could take two or three months to arrange so an early general election would scupper it.

Mr. Simmons, who denies he has been neglecting constituency duties, was staying tight-lipped ahead of the meeting which starts at UBP central office at 5.30 tonight. Former UBP MP Erwin Adderley failed to force a primary last year but is still keen on replacing Mr. Simmons.