who was swept to victory at the 1989 election, found himself at the bottom of the poll in Pembroke West Central last night.

He trailed the other candidates from the outset, finishing 402 votes behind United Bermuda Party candidate Mr. Jerome Dill who topped the poll with 701 votes.

Both Pembroke West Central seats were returned to the UBP with Works & Engineering Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto taking the second with 698 votes.

This was Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto's fifth election campaign in this constituency and the first time Mr. Dill had run for office.

Although last night's results show a return to traditional voting patterns in Pembroke West Central, it was a close fight between the two main parties with the Progressive Labour Party leading at the half-way count.

PLP candidates Ms Neletha Butterfield and Mr. Philip Perinchief took 559 and 542 votes respectively.

Regardless of party affiliation, the candidates were unanimous on one point.

Neither believed the constituency had returned to being a UBP stronghold.

A tired Mr. Hayward said he was "disappointed'' by the outcome, but vowed to continue working in the community as an activist.

He put his loss down to "party polarisation'' and "the politics of fear'', saying that constituents were voting along party lines rather than for individuals in anticipation of a close fight.

The victorious UBP candidates put their joint success down to sheer hard work and said Pembroke West Central could no longer be taken for granted as a UBP safe seat.

Mr. Dill said: "We worked the constituency in 1989 after constituents sent us a message loud and clear.

"We decided from there that we would pursue a social agenda that would totally redefine the UBP. We are now a much more sensitive party.'' Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said: "Our committee, supporters and team workers have put in a magnificent effort and it has enabled us to take back the swing we lost at the last election.'' Although the PLP failed to take either of the seats last night, both candidates were pleased with the final count because they managed to poll more votes for the party in Pembroke West Central than ever before.

"We are pleased and will be back at the next election,'' Ms Butterfield said.

Voting was brisk throughout the day despite the inclement weather with a total of 1,437 voters turning out to vote of 1,818 registered eligible voters.

RESULTS Jerome Dill (UBP) 701 A. Cartwright DeCouto (UBP) 698 Neletha Butterfield (PLP) 559 Philip Perinchief (PLP) 542 Stuart Hayward (Ind) 299 Void ballots 6.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION