More people refused to vote at the Pembroke East Central by-election than at any other since modern records began in 1997.

As residents shunned both parties in the massive Progressive Labour Party stronghold, just 431 persons representing 39 percent of total voters, cast a vote lower than any of the previous 11 by-elections of the past 12 years.

United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan says the turnout, down from 65 percent in both the 2003 and 2007 General Elections, was a vote of no confidence in Premier Ewart Brown's Government.

Some constituents told The Royal Gazette they had been brought up voting PLP but did not want to vote for Government; yet could not bring themselves to vote for the UBP.

Others argue the result was such a foregone conclusion it was a waste of time travelling to Victor Scott Primary School to vote.

Michael Weeks of the PLP won on Thursday night with 387 votes, against 44 for the UBP's Keith Young; the PLP's 89 percent share of the votes was up slightly from the 87 percent won by the late Nelson Bascome two years ago.

PLP member and political commentator Tia Hartmann, who did vote, said she suspected most people stayed away out of apathy.

"Most people didn't show up simply cause they felt no need to. No matter who got in, there would be no change to the actual running of the Country," Ms Hartmann told The Royal Gazette.

"My constituency is the eminent PLP stronghold and thusly, there was definitely a whiff of 'what does it matter?'

"That and the disillusionment with the current Government that many on the Island feel hasn't exactly filtered to this area. That may be because of the primary make-up of the area, whether colour-wise or situation-wise, but it may have just as much to do with perceptions.

"The recent hullabaloo over Dr. Brown was based on procedural and governing methods, things which are perceived to be more important to others.

"Bermuda is a politically immature nation. That is in no way an insult and it is definitely changing but the fact remains that most Bermudians are content to have this air of separation between them and the Government."

One woman from St. Monica's Road, who chose not to vote, said: "We have grown up PLP in this area but we don't know who's on our side any more. We couldn't vote UBP, so we just didn't go down to vote."

Another local PLP member said: "This is a shocking result. That's a significant number of people who did not vote. They obviously did not want to vote for the UBP either, but at some point over time maybe some people will go back that way.

"A lot of people are saying this is just the black UBP. In 1998 we saw a labour government come in, but people are questioning how much it is benefiting the worker."

Records released by the parliamentary registrar show the previous low turnout in the past 12 years was in November 2002 for the Pembroke East Central by-election won by Ashfield DeVent.

As he celebrated that victory, Mr. DeVent said he was disappointed with the 45 percent turnout, telling this newspaper at that time: "We have to continue to strive and people have to continue to get out there and express their vote so once we win it we can keep it."

Sandys North, considered a relatively safe PLP seat, had a 60 percent turnout in March 2004; while safe UBP seat Paget West had a 67 percent turnout in March 1999.

Mr. Swan said in a statement yesterday: "It is clear from the historically low voter turnout that there is widespread dissatisfaction and disillusionment with the Brown Government.

"In the safest PLP constituency, support for the Government was lukewarm and grudging. The evening push by PLP officials to get more people to the polls indicated they were dealing with a serious level of voter reluctance.

"One of our campaign messages to voters was to send the Government a message that they were not happy with the way things are. It is clear they sent that message by staying home.

"The fact that voter dissatisfaction did not translate into more support for our candidate Keith Young is a disappointment, particularly given that he is a local resident whose campaign focused on righting long-neglected local issues. We take no comfort from the fact that his proportion of the total vote did not change.

"But this by-election, in the end, was about problems people have with the performance of the PLP Government.

"For the UBP, we cannot expect the people in a PLP stronghold to switch to us overnight, but we consider the 60 percent no-show to be an invitation to get to know them better."

PLP stalwart and statistician Calvin Smith said people came out to vote in the Sandys North by-election because it was believed the UBP stood a chance.

"There would probably be more interest if the by-election was in a marginal area," he said.

Mr. Smith said the PLP was still firmly behind Dr. Brown, adding: "If they were disillusioned with Dr. Brown and Government they would be voting for the Opposition. The unhappiness with Government is a figment of the UBP's imagination. It's a strategy."

PLP chairman David Burt said: "The PLP is a grassroots party. We ran a strong ground campaign that touched Bermudians on their doorsteps. That grassroots campaign extended to the internet where over 700 people signed up to support Michael on Facebook. The PLP is thrilled to have improved on our margin from 2007 and we look forward to continuing to build our momentum."