Premier Ewart Brown has called a general election for December 18.

Making the announcement on the PLP website Dr. Brown said: Today I called upon the acting Governor to dissolve Parliament in advance of a general election knowing well this could be an election between those who would take our country back and a party that would move our country forward, forward to a future of success for your children a future of comfort for our seniors and a full quality of life for us all.

His Press secretary later called to say Bermuda would go to the polls on December 18.

While the PLP have consistently led in most opinion polls, just as they did prior to their 2003 win, Bermuda’s small seats and tiny majorities leave plenty of room for upsets for organised party’s and strong candidates meaning voters could be in for another nail-biting night.

Last time around the PLP won 22 seats to the UBP’s 14 however if 80 people had voted for the UBP in five key seats the UBP would have won.

It is make or break for United Bermuda Party leader Michael Dunkley who has launched a do-or-die bid to take the PLP seat Smith’s North currently held by Patrice Minors.

It is eighth on the UBP’s list of target seats and if Mr. Dunkley wins it he will likely be Premier, if he loses it then his party could well be in Opposition again as they start the hunt for yet another leader.

Perversely if the UBP wins the minimum five seats it needs for a majority it could find itself looking for a new leader before it is able to form a Government if Mr. Dunkley’s risky personal gamble fails.

This afternoon, Mr. Dunkley issued a statement in response to the election call. He said: In this election, Bermuda can decide to proceed as one people, with respect for one another and living by the highest standards of democracy, or we can go down a path of division, self-interest and intolerance.

We know there is anxiety about where the country is headed, and confusion about what to do. We know that the question of trust is on many people’s minds.

In the weeks ahead, the United Bermuda Party will work hard to show you we have the right plans, the right attitude and the strength to make sure your future and that of your children is safe.

The UBP must add six seats to its current tally of 13 to form a majority in parliament. It should easily pick up Pembroke West, held by defector Jamahl Simmons who is retiring, while it should make gains in St. George’s where the PLP is clinging on by its fingernails in three seats.

Warwick is another key battleground. However the UBP will do well to winkle popular PLP MP Dale Butler from Warwick North East while Alex Scott who has a 96 vote majority in Warwick South East looks well entrenched.

The UBP plan also requires turfing out Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief in Pembroke Central and Glenn Blakeney in Devonshire North Central MP.

Premier Ewart Brown has openly talked of the PLP trying to pick up 30 of the 36 seats - up from the 22 it presently holds.

Suzann Robert’s-Holshouser looks vulnerable in St. David’s with her 15 vote majority as does David Dodwell who won by 20 votes in Southampton East Central last time around.

Wayne Furbert is also on the critical list in Hamilton West - traditionally a weather vane constituency - while the PLP will be looking to make inroads in Hamilton South where Opposition MP Maxwell Burgess is stepping down.

Trevor Moniz in Smith’s West and Jon Brunson in Southampton West Central are also being targeted as the PLP aim to effectively wipe out the UBP as a viable electoral force.

However the PLP’s dream of getting 30 seats begins to look doubtful given the large majorities enjoyed by the UBP’s remaining MPs.

Tight PLP seats

St. George’s North - 8 votes - Jennifer Smith

St. George’s South - 8 votes - Renee Webb (retiring)

St. George’s West - 22 votes - Dean Foggo

Warwick North East - 38 votes - Dale Butler

Pembroke Central - 75 votes - Wayne Perinchief

Warwick South East - 96 votes - Alex Scott

Devonshire North Central - 105 - Glenn Blakeney

Smith’s North - 123 votes - Patrice Minors

Warwick North Central - 134 votes - George Scott (moving to fight Warwick West)

Tight UBP seats

St David’s - 15 votes - Suzann Roberts-Holshouser

Southampton East Central - 20 votes - David Dodwell

Hamilton West - 61 - Wayne Furbert

Hamilton South - 106 - Maxwell Burgess (retiring)

Smith’s West - 109 - Trevor Moniz

Southampton West Central - 129 votes - Jon Brunson

See this website for updates.