night topped the polls in the United Bermuda Party St. George's South primary.

About an hour after the last of some 340 votes were cast at St. David's Primary School, a jubilant Mr. Spurling walked away with 308 of them.

Incumbent Mrs. Grace Bell followed with 271.

St. David's resident Mr. Custerfield Crockwell finished last with 84 votes.

Mr. Crockwell, a former National Liberal Party candidate in the same constituency which includes Tucker's Town and Ferry Reach, mainly attributed the result to the candidates' canvassing.

"I was not surprised by the outcome,'' he later told The Royal Gazette , "because I did not see as many constituents as the other two.'' Mr. Crockwell said he predicted the result and wished both Mr. Spurling and Mrs. Bell well.

Mr. Spurling said he felt a growing confidence as the tallying showed him in front. But he said he was surprised by how much he exceeded Mrs. Bell.

He attributed his success to being an "unblemished newcomer'' and active in the community.

Mr. Spurling also said he visited about 600 people in the constituency leading up to the primary, including the 480 registered UBP voters.

Mrs. Bell said she also "got back in touch'' with many of her constituents.

The primary was expected to be the last UBP one before any general election.

And while St. George's South has been a UBP stronghold since the first election in 1968, neither Mrs. Bell -- who has held her seat there since 1985 -- nor Mr. Spurling were taking it for granted.

They acknowledged that their victory in the primary, which had about a 70 percent voter turnout, was "just the beginning''.

"The canvassing continues. We're not going to stop now,'' said a clearly exhausted, but happy, Mrs. Bell.

She said she will continue to address the interests of those in the constituency, particularly the unemployed and underemployed.

Mr. Spurling said he is aware of the parochial issues facing St. George's South, including the need for road and parks maintenance, a better bus service, and upgraded youth centre facilities.

And while noting that some of these things are in the process of being addressed, he vowed to try to speed things up.

Retiring St. George's South MP Mr. Sydney Stallard, who was at the polling station, said the constituency was gaining two "very capable'' candidates.

"We had three good candidates to run with,'' he added. "Unfortunately, there were only two seats.'' He said Mrs. Bell brought with her years of experience, particularly on women and children issues, while Mr. Spurling has been valuable to the community.

Mr. Stallard, who has been in politics for some 30 years, said it was time for him to step back and let some "young people in''.

But he said he will continue to work for the party and the St. George's South constituents behind the scene.

Former St. George's South MP Mr. Lancelot (Lenny) Swan, who represented the constituency for some 15 years, said he thought "the selection was wonderful''.

He said he was particularly glad to see the UBP members of St. George's South recognised Mrs. Bell's service.

THUMBS UP -- Candidates Mr. Custerfield Crockwell, Mrs. Grace Bell MP, and Mr.

Richard Spurling show confidence in voter support before the results were announced in the United Bermuda Party St. George's South primary last night.