present Parliament ends -- sparking a wave of speculation about his successor.

Last night he told The Royal Gazette : "It has been a terrific and wonderful experience, but I want to make way for younger blood.'' His decision after just three years as Speaker will clear the way for fresh talent in his Paget West stronghold. United Bermuda Party youth wing leader Mr. Tim Smith has already launched a primary challenge in the constituency.

Among those tipped as possible successors are present Deputy Speaker the Hon.

Ernest DeCouto, and Mr. Stanley Lowe from the Progressive Labour Party who has had stints in the Speaker's chair.

Last night Mr. DeCouto expressed interest as a successor -- assuming the UBP formed the next Government and he was reelected.

Mr. Wilkinson announced his decision to retire at the House of Assembly yesterday. In a brief statement he said: "I shall retire from the House of Assembly at the end of this Parliament.'' The announcement ends months of speculation about his future, fuelled by several hints of retirement.

Although he will only have sat in the Speaker's chair for one Parliament, it is not a record.

He will join several others in that category, including Sir Jeffrey Astwood (1968-72) and Sir Dudley Spurling (1972-76).

The longest serving Speaker was Sir John Cox who chaired the House for 20 years from 1948.

Mr. Wilkinson became Speaker in February, 1989, after ten years as Deputy Speaker. He will remain in the chair until the next general election, which could be as far away as 1994.

During his 24-year stint in politics Mr. Wilkinson has held some prestigious Cabinet posts.

He was both Planning Minister in the 1970s and Tourism Minister.

Another post he held was chairman of the Public Funds Investment Committee (1973-89). He helped lay the legislative foundations for Government's contributory pension fund.

Last night Mr. Wilkinson looked back fondly on his political career.

"Next May I will have been in politics 25 years, which is longer than I ever though I would be,'' he said.

"I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to the community. There is no compelling reason for me to go. I just feel there are younger people coming up and I should step aside.'' Mr. Wilkinson, a lawyer by profession and former partner with Cox & Wilkinson, found chairmanship of the investment committee the "most interesting'' period of his political career. "I feel what we developed is being ever more appreciated.'' As Speaker Mr. Wilkinson has found himself repeatedly at loggerheads with Opposition MP Mr. Julian Hall.

Last year he was forced to make a ruling on Mr. Hall's allegation the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan had a role in his bankruptcy. And earlier this month he suspended the MP for three sittings following heated exchanges.

Despite the confrontations, Mr. Wilkinson is proud of his record as Speaker.

"I don't like to suspend people, but it was one of those things,'' he said.

He added: "I feel generally MPs behave not too badly, although the public expects them to do better.'' Mr. Wilkinson, who favours televising the House, believes radio has toned down some of the debating.

Of life after politics Mr. Wilkinson, a Royal Gazette director, comments: "I will be leading a productive life. I certainly won't be watching the grass grow.'' Last night Mr. Graham Smith, UBP Paget West chairman, said he believed Mr.

Smith's challenge in the August 17 primary may have "precipitated'' Mr.

Wilkinson's decision to retire.

Mr. Wilkinson's departure would create a vacancy which would be filled by Mr.

Smith, assuming no other challenger came forward.

Hon. David Wilkinson.