Graeme Outerbridge, the National Liberal Party's candidate for the upcoming Smith's South by election is finding the electorate "inscrutable".

Mr. Outerbridge, who with Independent Gershwin Smith, is the only confirmed candidate for the election has been canvassing the constituency for two weeks.

"You can't figure out the voters," he said. "They keep their cards close to their chest." He has visited a "good cross section", running into hundreds of people and while he won't even hazard a guess as to how people might vote in the end, he does have a fair idea of their major concerns. "

"The issue of the OId St. George's Post Office was a typical issue," he said. "The simple question is people have to go to the planning board, why not the Government ?"

The state of tourism, personal security and behaviour on the Island's roads are also heavy on constituents' minds, said Mr. Outerbridge.

"Some people are concerned over the direction of the United Bermuda Party,"" he added. " Some people are encouraged by the change [in the party hierarchy. They have noticed it but they don't know what it means."

A week ago the United Bermuda Party voted in a slew of new officers - including former Cabinet Minister Wayne Furbert as party chairman - changed its constitution and vowed to introduce "true leadership" and breathe new life into the UBP and to the country's political life.

But the jury's not out on constitutional reform. Mr. Outerbridge told The Royal Gazette that a number of the people he has spoken to want to be consulted more on constitutional reform.

He said that while he has been told that UBP Senator Maxwell Burgess has been canvassing the area, "I have not heard a whisper of what the PLP is doing."

Last night Patrice Parris, a Government senator refused to confirm or deny reports that she will be contesting the seat left vacant by the retirement of C.V. (Jim) Woolridge.

"This is one person you won't get to spill the beans," she said.

Mr. Burgess has also consistently declined to confirm his candidacy. "I'm doing a good job as a senator," was all he would say when The Royal Gazette last broached the subject.

The by-election must be held on or before July 18 and called no later than June 20.