He expanded his victory by 31 votes and yet the man of contituency 25, Dale Butler, refuses to rest on his laurels.

Mr. Butler was challenged by former United Bermuda Party senator Gina Spence-Farmer in the seat he won by only 38 votes in 2003.

Yet even as he walked away with 69 more votes then Mrs. Spence-Farmer, Mr. Butler refused to quit.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette last night following the final counts, Mr. Butler was already in his office at Little Venice after mailing more than 600 postcards to thank his constituents.

That is because, as far as Mr. Butler is concerned, his track record started the minute he was elected back into office.

He said: "It was never a marginal seat. It was always a well balanced one. I work hard, that's why I am in my Little Venice office right now.

"People want to see things being done. It was one of the things people said as I canvassed.

"Even if they voted for the UBP, they would tell me to keep up the good work."

Though Mr. Butler has managed only three to four hours of sleep a night for the past few weeks, this morning (Wednesday) he said he planned to hand Christmas cards and turkeys to his constituents.

This tireless and selfless giving to the people he serves, according to Mr. Butler, is all he has ever known.

He said: "I didn't lean on my working class background. I was always told: 'So what.' I was told to look towards the future. That's why I am in my Little Venice office tonight."

So minutes after winning his seat for the third time, Mr. Butler has already arranged two meetings for the New Year and even invited Mrs. Spence-Farmer to join him.

Constituency report: Page 9