Backbencher Arthur Pitcher may end up being the ruling party's candidate for St. David's after all.

Mr. Pitcher, who turns 52 on election day, wants to retire and has said as much to the party hierarchy.

"I'd like to spend some time with my family especially my youngest son. He is 16 and he needs a lot of attention and I want to give him that attention," he said. "It's a coincidence that the election is on my birthday so I plan on working very hard to help to hold the seat."

Yesterday he said that he'll run if a suitable candidate cannot be found.

"If the party wants me to run, I'm available," he said. "I've expressed concerns about stepping down - however, if called upon to serve I'll serve. If we don't find a candidate to hold the election I'll put myself forward again."

He added: "We stuck to our promises and all the students will have the right to vote and I'm really proud of what we have accomplished so far."

Mr. Pitcher is one of about half a dozen ruling party MPs who have indicated that they want to retire from the political fray. His comments yesterday echo those of St. George's MP Delaey Robinson, another ruling party backbencher who wants to retire. Mr. Robinson said last week that he may run after all but probably not in St. George's - if the party calls upon him.

Some observers have raised questions about the ruling party's state of readiness for the July 24 poll.

Party spokesman Walter Roban insisted this week that the party has all its candidates for the elections.

"The party has selected people for every area," he said. "We know who we want to run."

The party had to form 36 new branches - one for each constituency - after electoral reforms became effective this year.

Mr. Roban explained that candidate selection did not necessarily have to start at the branch level.

"We have a very flexible process of selection," he said. "It works to fulfil the objectives of the party as a whole."

Premier Jennifer Smith is the party's campaign chairman "for the moment", he added. "If it is to change, it will be announced shortly. But the leader is overseeing the campaign for the time being."