were from too much champagne rather than another election defeat.

The aftermath of Tuesday's count had left Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade remarkedly clear-headed and confident about the future.

"I'm feeling buoyant, and am really looking forward to the months ahead,'' he said yesterday as debris from the big post-election thrash at Alaska Hall was swept up.

Mr. Wade believed his rejuvenated 18-seat party could give the United Bermuda Party a real run for its money in the House of Assembly.

And he was sure Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan -- desperately trying to protect his four-seat majority -- would be harried into calling another election well before 1997.

This time there would be no doubt about the outcome, particularly with the new crop of outstanding MPs, said Mr. Wade.

Young Bermudian students returning from abroad would also wreak vengeance on Sir John and vote his party out of Government.

"They are very angry that he called the election while they were abroad. It could have made the difference,'' said Mr. Wade.

"Many of them couldn't afford to return. We have spoken to them, and have footage of the interviews.'' "I know most of them would have supported the Progressive Labour Party.'' He added: "Young people were a factor in this election, and will be a big one in the next one.'' Not that Sir John will still be at the UBP helm next time around, said Mr.

Wade.

"I would think he would go before the next election, if precedent holds true.

"Sir John has lost seats in two straight elections.'' There is plenty of more immediate business, however, to keep Mr. Wade's mind from dwelling on what might be.

The party's central committee holds a special meeting tomorrow to elect three Opposition members to the Senate.

And then it meets again on Monday to discuss a Shadow Cabinet, which should be announced early next week.

Mr. Wade, however, was playing his cards to his chest and declined to hint at any names.

"I only have one vote on the committee, which has about 30 members,'' he stressed.

Monday's meeting should also see a party conference date fixed.

The conference is likely to be held before next April. And another one will be staged in about January 1995 which will see the election of the party's officers, including the leader.

But it is not something which troubles Mr. Wade.

"Quite honestly it is not something I think about. All the party officers are elected every two years,'' he said.

Mr. Wade said he had no intention of stepping down on the heels of such a successful election campaign.

There is no doubt the PLP won the campaign -- despite the "millions of dollars'' splashed out on the UBP's one, he declared.

"We had the best campaign. We laughed at the way they spent so much, and we spent so little in comparison.

"We knew we couldn't outspend them, but we tried to outsmart them. Our advertising was very clever.

"The television ad of the jigsaw being assembled was very successful, and our platform was a masterpiece.

"I liked it visually, and we released it at the right time. There was a build up to it, and much of it came out before it was delivered.

"This was deliberate, and we got the best of both worlds.'' But where did the PLP fail in their bid to break their political duck? Mr. Wade immediately pointed to the critical double loss in Hamilton West of Mr. Julian Hall and Mr. Eugene Blakeney.

"I am disappointed by the result there, but was not totally surprised by it.

"I was aware of the feeling in the branch about the constituency. I was aware of some of the problems there.

"People wanted more canvassing, and more visits in the constituency. That influenced the minds of voters.'' Mr. Wade said Hamilton West voters wanted their MPs to represent their interests on a parochial, as well as national level.

"I think they are very particular voters, they want to be catered for, almost pampered.

"It is always a see-saw constituency.'' Mr. Wade said Mr. Hall, a high-profile national figure, had accepted a share of "the burden of blame'' for defeat.

A frantic door-stepping effort in the dying days of the campaign was to no avail.

Mr. Wade said he had calculated a narrow PLP victory on the strength of a double breakthrough in Warwick East.

While the triumph of Mr. Alex Scott was heart-warming, it was blow he couldn't pull Mr. Calvin Smith with him.

Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman put up a surprisingly tough fight, Mr.

Wade said.

He added Dr. Ewart Brown's Warwick West victory was also another equally vital breakthrough.

It signalled well for the future, with the PLP establishing a bedrock of support in Warwick.

"We just didn't quite have enough time to go all the way in Warwick,'' explained Mr. Wade.

Mr. Wade said gerrymandered boundaries still hindered the PLP, depriving them of a seat.

And a reservoir of between 500 and 700 white British voters -- all UBP supporters -- also played a crucial part.

These had lived in Bermuda since 1976, and were still entitled to vote.

Said Mr. Wade: "They represent a hidden number of voters, and although the number of them is going down they play an important part given how tight things are.

"We would abolish their entitlement to vote straight away.'' Mr. Wade said the media also counted against his party.

"It played a part, there is no doubt about it.'' Mr. Wade disputed comparisons between the PLP now and in 1980, when the party also had 18 seats.

"We are in a much stronger position now. In 1980 we went from 14 seats to 18.

"We did not lose two seats as we did this time, gain five, and come out with 18.

"I don't think there's any going back for us now. We are also much more united now. Morale is very high.'' MR. FREDERICK WADE -- Looking to the future.