in Southampton West.

Thirty-six-year-old Mr. William J. Ingham sent out a letter to residents in the United Bermuda Party stronghold last Friday, asking them to indicate by mail whether they felt an independent candidate could represent their views.

And Mr. Ingham, who lives in Devonshire, yesterday told The Royal Gazette : "I just want to test the waters. I want to get a feel for how people view the benefits of an independent person.'' If the Bermuda High School for Girls' financial controller receives a favourable response, he will run against Youth and Sports Minister the Hon.

Pamela Gordon, UBP hopeful Mr. David Dodwell, Progressive Labour Party candidate and lawyer Mr. Michael Scott, and National Liberal Party candidate, businessman Mr. Matthew Lindo.

Mr. Ingham said: "Most Bermudians and residents are tired of the negative, partisan approach our party system offers.

"The system polarises the elected representatives so that creative thinking is stunted.

"What is best for Bermuda is not always considered. When various alternatives are available, invariably the one with the least political risk succeeds; not necessarily what is best for the Island.'' Mr. Ingham, who as a member of the Bermuda Junior Chamber Project initiated The Pally Recycling Project with financial assistance from Keep Bermuda Beautiful, added: "As my past achievements show, I have proved I can work with volunteer organisations as well as with the Government.'' He said he chose Southampton West because "in recent elections the constituents there had little or no choice''.

He said he also chose the constituency because all the candidates were "newcomers'' and therefore they would be on a "level playing field''.

"I feel it is important for the constituents to have the option of a candidate who is unencumbered with party commitments or business interests,'' Mr. Ingham said.

"As Bermuda enters a time of change, it needs its elected representatives working together to make that change positive.

"Our neighbour and close ally, the United States, is now using a bi-partisan approach to deal with its complex issues.

"...as an independent candidate I would be free of partisan obligations and be a better voice for Southampton West, and in turn Bermuda.''