The America’s Cup might end up being good for the island — but why hasn’t the One Bermuda Alliance found the money to take care of the people?

That was just one of many questions from residents of Warwick South Central, the traditional Progressive Labour Party stronghold where voters are preparing for a by-election in less than two weeks.

Frustration and concern over jobs, the economy, education, crime, same-sex marriage and healthcare for the elderly — persistently hot topics on a national scale in recent months — were key talking points when The Royal Gazette canvassed Constituency 26 ahead of the December 20 vote.

And another was the America’s Cup, which has divided opinion nationally over its chances of bringing a much-needed economic boost to the island.

“I do understand what the Government is trying to do with the America’s Cup, and the money they are spending,” said one man from Jones Village, who declared himself an Opposition supporter.

“But then they can’t find money to take care of the people.”

Contenders to replace Marc Bean, the former PLP leader who has retired from politics, are Neville Tyrrell, who has campaigned several times for the PLP in difficult constituencies for the Opposition, OBA newcomer Robyn Swan and independent candidate David W Burch, who threw his hat in the ring in 2012 for the same constituency.

Door knocking in the area’s neighbourhoods gave residents a chance to air concerns, and discuss Bermuda’s political state of play.

“I always vote, and I go by party,” a retired woman at the Olive Bank estate told

The Royal Gazette.

Although she conceded that Warwick South Central has “always gone PLP”, she still sided firmly with the ruling party.

“I was a United Bermuda Party supporter and I’m an OBA supporter now. I’m not likely to switch, but I still like meeting the other candidates.”

As a keen walker on the nearby railway trail, she said she expected whoever succeeds as the next MP to address its lack of maintenance.

“The vegetation on the trail and Middle Road is huge to me. The overgrown state of the island is dreadful. I understand money is tight, it’s just not being done.”

Asked about the island as a whole, she said: “We have many issues, but everything is much more upbeat with the America’s Cup around.” She noted the surprising success of a church fundraiser and the latest poppy appeal as evidence of “more money in the economy than in quite some time”.

“I’m not really political, and I hate the way they behave in the House. Having lived as long as I have and going through both governments, I just worry about the PLP and money management. It makes you very cautious. I’ve been following the Commission of Inquiry; it’s interesting what’s coming out of that.”

On Smiths Avenue, an out-of-work woman said she was set on voting, and leaning towards the PLP.

The referendum on same-sex marriage had turned her off the OBA, she added.

“I just didn’t feel that. Whoever votes that in, I’m switching over.”

Saying she didn’t travel at night “at all like I used to”, she flagged crime as an issue, with young people needing clear alternatives to gangs.

“There have been shootings twice up around here. It’s not people in the neighbourhood; it’s the ones coming in.”

Unemployed ever since she got laid off from a sales job, she made it plain that she was jaded by the OBA’s promises to restore jobs.

“I don’t have anything against foreigners,” she added with a laugh, “but some of them need to leave. Finding work is terrible. I do think some are taking our opportunities. I could do a waitressing job.”

Down the road in Jones Village, a group of seniors declared themselves Opposition supporters, with one man adding: “Most in 26 are PLP. Years ago, before party politics, people voted for the candidate from the area. Quinton Edness was popular in Warwick and most people voted for him. The party system changed that.”

As older voters, all three were especially concerned with healthcare and health insurance, with one woman calling FutureCare “ridiculous”.

Education “stinks, across the island”, the man said, pointing to the mould and disrepair just west at TN Tatem Middle School as just one example.

Asked about crime, he said: “People tend to give this neighbourhood a bad name. But we’re honest people struggling like anybody else.”

Up the hill on Khyber Heights, a resident who declared himself a keen voter said he chose by party — his being “PLP, and always will be”.

Only one issue was on his mind: “People come through here like it’s a racetrack. I’ve been trying the past 15 years for speed bumps.”

He said he had written to Ewart Brown, the former Premier who represented Warwick South Central, and obtained signatures for his successor Mr Bean, but “nothing happened”.

A younger resident in the comparatively affluent neighbourhood of Marley Beach, in the southeastern corner of the constituency, called himself an OBA voter, but did not have time to discuss issues.

Over on Lusher Lane, a public service worker and resident of more than 20 years, who had voted OBA in 2012, said he planned to vote PLP to get “a fresh perspective”.

“A new mindset will do wonders. Change is always good. I think there have been too many issued with the OBA within the last couple of years. I’ve gone between parties. When one is not doing its best, I switch.”

Saying he would like to see more crime-prevention and a better police presence, the voter added that he would like an MP for the area to push for better street lighting as well.

And, while politics is Bermuda had its share of bickering, he said the island had it better in comparison to many countries.

“Look at the rhetoric between Hillary Clinton and Trump in America. That was nasty on both sides.”