A dejected Mark Pettingill walked away from last night's close contest in Warwick North East with a combination of disappointment and pride in his heart.

For the United Bermuda Party (UBP) new boy lost to Progressive Labour Party favourite Dale Butler by just 38 votes in one of the toughest battles of the General Election.

"We always knew that it would be very close and I think that's pretty much as close as we could get," said Mr. Pettingill.

"We knew we had some people away and that was unfortunate, but I don't want to take anything away from Dale. I have a terrific amount of respect for him. He's very good guy. I think it would have been a lot different if I had not been up against Dale Butler.

"If it had been Jennifer Smith, it would have been a blow out - that's a fact."

And a triumphant Mr. Butler, who did not stay at Paget Primary School for the count, instead heading to Alaska Hall claiming he was not feeling too well after hours in the sun, thanked the voters for coming down on his side.

"I would like to commend Mark Pettingill for making it a clean election," said Mr. Butler.

"I wish him well in the future and have no doubt that he will one day be a Parliamentarian, maybe on the PLP team.

"Now the Butler has been returned to the House, I will be canvassing tomorrow, Friday, July 25 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and again on Saturday, especially to those people who indicate they elect a member of Parliament and never see him again."

Some 836 of a possible 1,086 voters came out to the polls yesterday, amounting to a 77.7 percent turnout, and only one ballot was spoiled, while another blank ballot was rejected.

Dale Butler (PLP) 437

Mark Pettingill (UBP) 399