Marc Bean will make a fresh attempt to win a seat in the House of Assembly after being chosen by the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) yesterday to contest next month's by-election in Southamp-ton West Central following the resignation of opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) incumbent Jon Brunson.

Still aiming to win

Bean, a government consultant specialising in CARICOM and aviation matters, lost to Brunson by 142 votes in the constituency in last December's general election, but said yesterday: "I am in it to win it."

Bean ran in Southampton West Central last year after standing aside to allow Education Minister Randy Horton to run in Southampton West, despite being picked by the local party branch.

Premier Ewart Brown said all the party's resources could be poured into winning the seat from the UBP in the December 4 by-election.

No successor

Former Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley and hotelier David Dodwell, who both lost their seats in the election, have been linked with the by-election, but the UBP has so far made no official announcement on Brunson's successor.

The PLP, which has been in power for 10 years, won 22 seats to the UBP's 14 in the last election - the same result as in the 2003 poll.