The Pembroke West United Bermuda Party primary is set to be a face-off between just two candidates.

For UBP insiders predict former Government Senate leader and party chairman Gary Pitman and constituency insider Wayne Soares, a Shell Oil executive, will be the only two names on the primary ballot paper.

Up to six people were believed to have expressed an interest in the UBP nomination for Pembroke West, including Pembroke businessman Ramadhin Smith.

And in Hamilton East, party opinion appears to favour putting up veteran candidate Francis Furbert over new Senator Angelita Fox -- avoiding a primary battle altogether.

The Pembroke West primary is set to be held on January 23 -- but the UBP hierarchy is still undecided whether to go for a quick election before the House returns for the new session on February 6 or hold off.

It is understood Premier Pamela Gordon would probably favour a speedy resolution, with both the Pembroke West and Hamilton East by-elections being held on the same day and before Parliament goes back.

But she is also believed to be keen to give potential candidates in Pembroke West time to mount a primary campaign and the winner sufficient space to run an effective by-election push.

And that would suggest a later date -- probably the first week or two of the session, still before the February 28 legal deadline for both by-elections to be held.

Ms Gordon yesterday was staying tight-lipped on her plans for the double by-election.

But she said: "I am not going to have it called just to satisfy the return to the House.

"I want the best solution which will serve the Country's best interests.'' Mr. Soares was touted as a possible runner before he joined the UBP or became an officially adopted candidate.

It is understood party rules mean that candidates must have been party members for 30 days before they can be adopted -- which would mean he cannot become an approved candidate until Friday at the earliest.

The news came as former Pembroke West constituency party chairman Joyce Hall placed an advert in The Royal Gazette endorsing Mr. Pitman as by-election candidate.

The advert, in Friday's edition of the paper, outlined Mr. Pitman's achievements, inside and outside of politics.

Mrs. Hall wrote: "He is indeed an experienced, longstanding party member whose philosophy regarding constituency representation is to to canvass the constituency regularly, as well as holding monthly clinics, to follow up and report back on all constituents' concerns and faithfully represent the views of his constituents.

"One cannot ask for more. He has my full support.'' The advert -- which acknowledges Mr. Pitman is not as well-known locally as Mr. Soares -- appears to be a bid to neutralise Spanish Point-born Mr. Soares' local appeal.

Mr. Soares -- who has just returned to the Island after having to travel abroad due to a family medical emergency -- last night declined to be drawn into a counter-blast to the advert.

He said: "My focus now is to concentrate on winning over the people of Pembroke West.

"I'm not alone in this and I face a pretty tough battle to win the primary. I will be focussing all my energies on that and taking nothing for granted.'' The Pembroke West by-election was caused by the decision of then-Health and Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira to retire from politics.

The Hamilton East tussle was started when Rev. Trevor Woolridge -- embroiled in controversy after being convicted of sexually assaulting a parishioner, although the conviction was later quashed -- decided to resign his seat.

Earlier, he had resigned the Progressive Labour Party whip and sat as an Independent. He is now in charge of a Philadelphia parish of the AME church.

The PLP have already announced Rodney Smith, who contested a by-election in Pembroke West just months ago after then-Youth and Sport Minister David Dyer resigned his seat, will fight the constituency again.

And last week the PLP announced Bermuda Industrial Union leader Derrick Burgess will take on the UBP in Hamilton East.