election is expected to be decided, The Royal Gazette today looks at Warwick East.

Two Cabinet Ministers are fighting for survival in the unpredictable constituency of Warwick East.

Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons and Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman have never coasted to victory in Warwick. This time, their controversial Cabinet portfolios could make past campaigns look like landslides.

In Senate Opposition Leader Sen. Alex Scott and BIU Credit Union manager Mr.

Calvin Smith, they face two well-known Progressive Labour Party figures who are running in Warwick East for the first time.

The retirement of National Liberal Party candidate Mr. Walter Brangman, who polled 569 votes in 1989, adds to the United Bermuda Party's headaches. Mr.

Brangman is a former PLP member, and the Opposition expects most of his votes will return to them.

While the last campaign in the district was described as "gentlemanly'', few expect Marquess of Queensberry rules this time. "I am sure it will be dirty, because that's started already,'' said Mr. Smith, who would not provide specifics.

Warwick East is one of Bermuda's most densely-populated electoral districts.

That is reflected in the issues heard while canvassing. There is a surplus of drugs and crime and a shortage of space for children to play, residents say.

Drugs and crime were major themes in the 1989 campaign, and little has changed since then, a neighbourhood leader said.

"We're just fed up with what has happened,'' said Mr. Stanley Thomas, president of ORSHAD (Ord Road-Spring Hill Against Drugs). "The politicians have been told; the guys on the street have been told. Everybody knows where we stand.'' Mr. Thomas said Police presence increased after his group formed in 1991, but has dropped off since along with residents' interest.

Policing comes under Mr. Pearman's portfolio, and the PLP challengers contend many other problems relate to responsibilities of the two ministers from Warwick East.

Mr. Simons' respect from parents and teachers slipped when Government's school reforms came unglued through delays and uncertainty. The row over recent budget cuts eroded goodwill further.

Bermuda's unemployment problem stems from too many work permits issued to foreign workers, Mr. Smith and Sen. Scott charge. And the last area where cuts should be made was education and training.

"We're going to lay these responsibilities right at the feet of these two ministers,'' Sen. Scott said.

Both ministers point to the soon-to-be-created National Drugs Commission as well as new school programmes in addressing the drugs problem.

Mr. Simons said he was not hearing about education cuts in his canvassing as much as he thought he would. While defending the cuts as responsible ones that maintain quality education in a recession, he said: "Education is one of the most sensitive services which the Government provides -- it is sensitive to parents, and it is also politically sensitive.'' While conceding the race will be close, Mr. Pearman said Warwick East voters want MPs who can represent their broad national concerns, as well as local ones.

As for the lack of open space, Mr. Pearman said he can relate to constituents' concerns. "On our front yard, we don't have a blade of grass left,'' because he is happy to allow its use as "a neighbourhood community centre,'' he said.

He said more recreational ares were needed, and admitted that while options are being studied, no plans are in place.

Mr. Simons, a group sales manager with the Argus Group of Companies, and Mr.

Pearman, managing director of Holmes, Williams & Purvey Ltd., both first ran for office in Warwick East in 1983. That year, Mr. Pearman was elected with the PLP's Mr. Brangman. Mr. Simons joined Mr. Pearman in 1985.

On the PLP side, Mr. Smith, Government's former chief statistician, was elected in Hamilton West in 1980, lost there in 1983, and lost a by-election fight in Pembroke West in 1984. Sen. Scott, who runs Scott Crafts Ltd.

advertising agency, ran unsuccessfully in Warwick West in 1985, before managing the PLP's 1989 campaign.

With Mr. Brangman stepping out for health reasons, Ms Debra Saltus is said to be considering a run for the NLP. Tomorrow: Hamilton West.

Warwick East Registered voters (June, 1992) 2,365 1989 results Gerald Simons, UBP 671 Irving Pearman, UBP 667 Walter Brangman, NLP 569 Roosevelt Brown, PLP 539 Barbara Ball, PLP 439 1985 results Irving Pearman, UBP 764 Gerald Simons, UBP 625 Walter Brangman, NLP 572 Charles Bean, PLP 324 George Byron, PLP 245.