Sir John Swan is under pressure to make a political comeback according to some of his current and former associates.

The Royal Gazette understands that hundreds of people have been formally and informally canvassed on the matter and at least one long time United Bermuda Party (UBP) supporter, Toppy Cowen, is actively campaigning on his behalf.

However, last night the former Premier, who celebrated his 67th birthday last week, denied the reports, saying a comeback was "out of the question".

"A lot of people have asked me that but I have told them I'm not getting involved," he said.

But Mr. Cowen told The Royal Gazette that he and hundreds of party faithful are convinced that the best thing for the UBP, and the country, is for Sir John Swan to get back into Parliament and replace Grant Gibbons as party leader.

"I sense that he would like to come back," said Mr. Cowen.

Sir John resigned the premiership in 1995, after losing a bid to make Bermuda an independent nation, and quit his Paget East UBP seat before the 1998 general election.

Widespread speculation that he was planning a return to politics began in 1999 when he broke a four year silence by calling on the Governor to appoint a politically neutral Director of Public Prosecution.

Since then Sir John has been relentless in speaking out on public affairs, giving frequent interviews with The Mid Ocean News. Dozens of articles have appeared in the weekly paper laying out his views on topics such as Bermuda's future, the former baselands and the Islands' relationship with the United States.

"That's his campaign right there," said one party insider about The Mid Ocean News coverage.

But Sir John refuted the claim, saying: "It would take an idiot not to have an interest in what's going on in Bermuda and try to make a contribution especially if you've been involved at the level that I've been involved in."

And he criticised both political parties for not being "profound enough".

"Issues that need to be addressed are out there swirling around and we've been led to some level of apathy," he said.

Asked if he would consider a comeback if asked by UBP members Sir John said: "I have given you my answer."

Citing party loyalty, all UBP sources contacted for this story refused to go on the record with their comments on Sir John's political ambitions. They added that, having been Premier for 13 years, Sir John would not be content to be an ordinary Member of Parliament, but would only settle for party leader, and they could not be drawn into that discussion out of respect for Dr. Gibbons.

Dr. Gibbons' running mate, Kim Young would only say that Sir John had been doing a "great job" as an elder statesman.

"Whether he should go back I don't know the answer to that."

But most agreed that Sir John was most likely itching to get back into politics. They denied a rumour that Sir John has already been asked by the UBP to re-enter politics.

Mr. Cowen said that he had personally canvassed between 200 and 300 people "several months ago" and that 95 percent of them preferred Sir John as leader.

He also said that a recent UBP poll also addressed the leadership question, asking respondents whether they preferred Sir John or Dr. Gibbons, but the party would not tell him the results.

Asked why he was working so hard on his mission, Mr. Cowen said that Sir John's appeal cut across racial barriers and would help the UBP win the next general election.

"He would bring the country together," he said. "He's the one person that people are drawn to. He has presence. Let's face it, he has something about him that is dynamic."

While some observers are convinced that Sir John is orchestrating his own comeback campaign, Mr. Cowen told this newspaper that the former premier did not know that he had polled hundreds of party faithful.

"He knows I might be doing something behind the scenes to convince the party to bring him back in," Mr. Cowen said.

He added that "many people" had approached Sir John. "But I don't think anyone of real substance has convinced him."

As for the party's parliamentary group, Mr. Cowen said he had canvassed them as well and was "fairly sure" the majority of the caucus would vote to have Sir John back.

"The most important thing would be whether Grant Gibbons would be willing to step down," added Mr. Cowen.

"He has to have the assurance that he is going to get the complete backing of the party."

Another factor Sir John would have to consider is his wife's views on the matter.

At the time of Sir John's 1995 resignation, a relieved Lady Swan reportedly threatened dire domestic consequences if he ever steps back into the political fray.