stand again for Warwick West in the next election.

Sir John, who will be 71 this year, said he plans to run for the ninth time since 1963 -- his health permitting.

Asked if he intended to stand again, he said: "Well, the Premier is insistent as is the branch, constituents seem to want me to, I have been blessed with good health, I enjoy my Parliamentary and constituency work -- so yes, I promise to stand once more.'' Sir John is one of four MPs -- Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall, former Opposition Leader Mrs. Lois Browne Evans and Deputy Opposition Leader Mr. Walter Roberts -- who were first elected to the House in 1963 and will celebrate 30 consecutive years in Parliament next year.

National Liberal Party Leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell was also elected in 1963, but lost his seat in 1968 and was reelected in 1972.

A former Premier, Minister of Finance and Home Affairs Minister, Sir John is the most experienced legislator in Parliament.

The United Bermuda Party sees Warwick, where it holds all four seats -- which Sir John represented from 1980-83 with three Progressive Labour Party MPs -- as one of the main battlegrounds in the next election.