women, both of whom have a contribution to make, between Paget East and Devonshire South hoping that both might be successful.

There are some unusual aspects to the Paget East contest. The third candidate, David Sullivan, is virtually unknown, except apparently in Chancery Lane, and we have to wonder why he is seen as a possible occupant of a very safe seat.

It may be that he is being pushed by the UBP central committee but we would have to question that especially when Lynda Milligan-Whyte has given years of service to the Senate and to the Cabinet.

The other unusual aspect in Paget East is the fact that the three candidates have not issued a primary challenge to Dr. Grant Gibbons, the Finance Minister. A few years ago Dr. Gibbons sought a seat in Smith's South and did not hesitate to include C.V. Jim Woolridge, the sitting MP and then Minister of Tourism, in his primary challenge. Perhaps the candidates feel that Dr.

Gibbons might be vulnerable in the wake of the McDonald's mess and they do not want to unseat the UBP's only possible choice as Finance Minister.

Devonshire South is a quite different situation. We regret that there is no woman candidate and we can think of some who could do well in that area. At first it seemed likely that there would be only one candidate, Michael Dunkley. Now, perhaps because he felt that the primary should be contested or perhaps because he enjoys politics, the UBP's political guru and election advisor, Joe Gibbons, has entered the fray. This will pit a home-grown Devonshire man against a party insider. If political smarts and an ability to get things done inside politics counts, then Joe Gibbons should win. He is part of the "new-look'' UBP. While Michael Dunkley may be seen as a rich man who is more interested in himself than Bermuda, we suspect that Devonshire South might vote for the local candidate.

UBP primaries create a strange situation. The candidates cannot be too rude about their opponents because they are of the same party yet they have to seek a winning advantage. If they fight too hard among themselves, as they did once before in Paget East when they bloodied Ann Cartwright-DeCouto unmercifully, then they give the public the impression that the party is at war with itself.

This year's primary candidates will want to avoid that scenario at all costs given the recent history of sharp UBP divisions and the fact that there is a new Premier and a new effort at togetherness.