St George’s West saw a massive victory for the Progressive Labour Party’s Kim Swan in a seat that was only won by four votes by the party’s main rival in the last election.

This time around, the PLP took 330 votes more than the One Bermuda Alliance, taking home 690 compared to 360 for the OBA’s Nandi Outerbridge. Six ballots were spoilt.

Mr Swan was clearly overjoyed when the announcement was made just after 10pm gathering his family, colleagues and supporters around him for an all-smiles photograph for the press. Fog horns and screams of joy were heard near the polling station and surrounding areas at the delivery of the news.

Mr Swan said he could not speak with the media until he had been briefed at the party headquarters in Hamilton but pressed for a brief statement, he said: “It was the people’s vote. I feel very happy but I’m humble.”

Ms Outerbridge had left by the time the count was announced just after 10pm but speaking from her home she told The Royal Gazette: “I am at home relaxing with family and friends. I’m not really surprised, I had a feeling about it earlier but I am happy to have had the time to serve. Before tonight I had no idea, the amount of work the OBA has done in the constituency — we couldn’t have done more.

“It is not the end. As far as politics goes I would like to have a seat in the senate.”

Last election, constituency 2 was a closely fought area with Ms Outerbridge winning by only four votes out of 928 running against Renée Ming (366) for the PLP and Kim Swan (214) who was then running as an independent.

While canvassing both candidates mentioned similar issues that had been raised in the constituency including lack of local transportation, social issues and the need to make progress on building the marina.

Ms Outerbridge may have suffered due to her lack of ministerial experience as one of the country’s youngest MPs in history. Having Mr Swan, now running as a part of a well established party, might have delivered a double blow to her this time around.

Mr Swan has years of experience under his belt but following his vote of no confidence in the PLP back in 2009 when he was leader of the United Bermuda Party it will remain to be seen how he progresses through the party hierarchy from here on in.