Wealthy Paget West was considered a United Bermuda Party stronghold for many years, but the party's majority in one of the former dual seats was slashed to 92 votes in a 1999 by-election. However, the UBP will be bitterly disappointed if it loses the new seat, constituency 23, and candidate Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, who won that 1999 by-election, is "cautiously optimistic".

The shadow Home Affairs Minister has lost the area South of Ord Road, from her old seat and gains Cobbs Hill to Morgan Road, Highwood Estate, and from White Sands Road along the Railway Trail to S Hill.

With an estimated white population of up to 60 percent and a number of upmarket neighbourhoods, the UBP can expect to do well, but it also has pockets of denser, lower income housing. The constituency takes in Harbour Road from Red Hole to Morgan Road in Warwick, then runs along the Railway Trail from White Sands Road to Cobbs Hill Road, and has 1,081 voters.

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin says she has been canvassing six days a week since the election was announced and four days a week for the past year and a half.

She will hope to cash in on her high name recognition in the constituency, and she says she has not heard of anyone from the PLP knocking on doors. "I believe by knocking on doors and talking to people, learning the issues and their concerns and helping find solutions, I have been consistent over a period of time and been a reasonably good representative for the area," she said. "(My 92-vote majority in 1999) does not give me a sense of comfort or feeling that it is any kind of stronghold.

"Whatever candidate it is has to go and work very hard and the people ought not to be taken for granted.

"Most of the parochial issues are national issues. My colleagues tell me they are hearing the same things.

"There is concern about drugs and major crime and how we can improve. Seniors are not being able to afford insurance premiums and have money left over for food. "People can't afford decent rental units and people are really concerned. I've also heard from a number of husbands and wives who have a a good income but can't afford a down-payment, and can't see a hope in hell of owning anything. That is creating a lot of frustration."

Education was also on the minds of voters, but was mentioned less frequently than crime, housing and seniors, she said.

Voter Emily DeSilva of Ord Road, said she wanted more affordable housing for Bermudians and more adult education and training to help people learn new technology skills.

A long-time UBP supporter, she says she will keep voting that way and believes the PLP will be kicked out of office.

"I was very unhappy with the government and I had always voted UBP and was happy with them," she said.

"They know what they're doing, especially with finance with Grant Gibbons. From the comments I'm hearing I think the UBP will get back in. Even black Bermudians are disappointed, saying we voted them in and they have failed so we might as well go back to the UBP. At least we got some sort of feedback from the Premier. This Premier you can't even talk to. She has a real attitude problem and if you try to talk to her she talks down to people."

The PLP is expected to name its candidate tomorrow.