tomorrow's United Bermuda Party leadership contest.

Sen. Lynda Milligan-Whyte said both Dr. Saul and Tourism Minister the Hon.

C.V. (Jim) Woolridge "have served the party extremely well.'' However, "one has to look now at what is in the best interest of Bermuda,'' said Sen. Milligan-Whyte, a lawyer who is active in matters related to international business.

"Having gone through 18 months of debate that has focussed the Country's attention on constitutional issues, we need someone who is going to focus the attention of the community on the economic interests.'' Particularly in light of the closure of the American Bases, with its attendant costs and loss of income, "we need a leader who is going to help us solve that economic problem,'' Sen. Milligan-Whyte said.

"When you look at Dr. Saul's track record in connection with economic issues, he has certainly brought Bermuda into the 21st century,'' and "would be the stronger'' candidate, she said.

Only UBP MPs get to vote in the leadership contest. While polls indicate Mr.

Woolridge has the most popular support, Dr. Saul has a 13-7 edge among Government MPs, with the Hon. Harry Soares remaining neutral so far.

No other Government Senator would take a side yesterday. Under the UBP constitution, all Senators are expected to vacate their seats when the Premier resigns.

Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons, Government Leader in the Senate, could not be reached.

Sen. Lawrence Scott said it would be "inappropriate'' for him to comment on the race between Dr. Saul and Mr. Woolridge.

Government Sen. Yvette Swan was off the Island. As the UBP chairman who will chair Friday's leadership vote, Sen. Gary Pitman could not take a position.

Also yesterday: Mr. Brian Madeiros, UBP chairman in Southampton West, denounced as "absolutely untrue'' a radio report that the branch had threatened not to support Mr. David Dodwell MP in the next election unless he shifted his support from Dr. Saul to Mr. Woolridge.

The branch held an executive meeting on Tuesday night and briefly discussed the UBP leadership, but took no position, he said. "Pam and David both will vote the way they feel they should,'' he said, referring to Mr. Dodwell and his running mate, Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon.

Former UBP chairman Dr. Stanley Ratteray voiced support for Mr. Woolridge over Dr. Saul.

Dr. Ratteray, who was UBP chairman in 1968 and also served in the legislative council now known as the Senate, said he was "astonished'' to learn a majority of the Cabinet and Parliamentary caucus has expressed support for Dr.

Saul.

"The party not only needs to be healed, but also to realise that there are only two and a half years until the next election,'' Dr. Ratteray told The Royal Gazette .

"As I see it, with all due respect to the known ability of Dr. Saul, I think ... Jim Woolridge is the best to lead us into the next election.'' Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said he had "no preference'' about who was chosen leader.

"We're sitting aloof from all of this,'' he said.

Battle for UBP leadership However, the PLP "stand(s) ready,'' expecting the man chosen will not be able to meet the constitutional requirement of commanding majority support in Parliament, Mr. Wade said.

"We've heard talk of people commanding the majority of the caucus, but he must command the majority of Parliament,'' Mr. Wade said. "We intend to watch that very carefully.'' The UBP now holds a 21-18 edge in the House of Assembly.

National Liberal Party Leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell said while Mr. Woolridge had the people's touch, the Country needed the sound management offered by Dr.

Saul.

Asked if he thought Dr. Saul could lead the UBP to victory in the next general election, Mr. Darrell said: "I don't know if anybody can.'' Mr. Trevor Moniz MP, a supporter of Mr. Woolridge, noted that it was Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess who was circulating a letter in support of Dr. Saul at last Friday's UBP caucus meeting.

Mr. Burgess has been the Cabinet Minister closest to Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan. While very bright and a good manager, Dr. Saul has "clearly done a deal with John Swan,'' Mr. Moniz said.

The deal was obviously struck prior to the August 16 Independence referendum, and "at the end of the day, (Dr. Saul) is clearly tainted by whatever taint the Premier has.'' Dr. Saul said on Tuesday he intended to serve a full term as Premier following the next general election, but Mr. Moniz suggested party leaders might wish to dump him before Bermudians next go to the polls, no later than 1998.

"What they'll do is they'll poll him,'' Mr. Moniz said. "And if he doesn't poll well, they'll say, `You've got to go'.'' Business leaders were staying out of the fray. Chamber of Commerce president Mr. Robert Rego said his group looked forward to working with whichever man was the victor.

"We'd like to see the process over with, so we know who we're dealing with,'' he said.

Mr. Glenn Titterton, deputy chairman of the Bermuda International Business Association, said: "Whoever it is, BIBA will look forward to working with them on the promotion of international business.''