Pembroke West Central could be one of the seats that swings the election on July 18, with the incumbent MP David Burt having a majority of less than 100.

The Progressive Labour Party leader is going head-to-head with the One Bermuda Alliance’s Nick Kempe, with both candidates citing the economy and education as the leading concerns of their constituents.

The Royal Gazette found a mix of views when we took to the streets of Constituency 18 this week to speak to voters. The area, within a couple of miles of Hamilton, has several public schools within its boundaries and more than 500 homes.

None of the residents we spoke to wanted to be named, but several were willing to share their thoughts on the issues that will determine how they mark their ballot papers.

A 72-year-old business owner said she had been too busy in recent months, thanks in part to the America’s Cup, to really focus on what the two parties had to offer.

But despite her thriving business, she said the OBA was not guaranteed to get her vote. “I voted for the OBA [in 2012] and I don’t even know who I’m voting for this time,” she said. “I have to check it out to see what they are saying.”

The woman, who was a longtime PLP supporter before the last election, said she was motivated to change allegiance last time around by concerns about public money being misspent and those in charge reaping financial benefits, while ordinary citizens worked hard to survive.

But a couple of things concerned her about supporting the ruling party again. The voter said she disliked the OBA’s election pledge to put $2,500 into a savings accounts for each newborn Bermudian.

“Some of those young girls are going to have babies [because of this],” she suggested. “I don’t know if that’s a really good idea. They are going to think about the money, not realising that it’s going to go for the baby.”

The other issue that concerned her, she said, was same-sex marriage. “It’s going against the Bible,” the woman said. “My son and daughters are all big Christians, and they have a big influence on me. This is one of the things we had discussed.

“It [the recent court ruling on same-sex marriage] is like a slap in the face. I realise we have to work with these things ... I am just not ready for it, but I know it is something we maybe can’t do anything about.”

A neighbour, aged 56, said Mr Kempe had her vote because “he listens; he listens with his heart”. The woman said the OBA candidate’s genuine concern for his neighbours and efforts to help them, even with small matters, convinced her to back him.

One example was fixing a fence close to a dangerous drop on North Shore Road. “In this neighbourhood, there aren’t too many concerns,” she said. “The nicest thing is that the OBA representative knows his people, looks out for his people. I had issues outside of this neighbourhood and he pushed to get it fixed.”

Another voter, a senior, said she had little to say about the party platforms or the candidates, before adding: “I just pray and hope the PLP win.”

Not everyone we spoke to was as passionate about the outcome of the General Election.

One man, aged 59, admitted he did not intend to vote, fatigued by petty, negative squabbles between the two parties.

“I would like to see both political parties work together rather than fighting,” he said.

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