The United Bermuda Party”s candidate for the Pembroke West by-election has claimed he is making inroads on the campaign trail.

Jamahl Simmons said that out of ten households identified as Progressive Labour Party supporters on a recent visit to the area, five changed their allegiance and joined the UBP.

“One lady had been a 28-year member of the PLP,” said Mr. Simmons.

But he remains cautious about what it all means. “I don”t know if it”s enough to make a big deal about it yet.”

Mr. Simmons, who has served each of the three political parties and only weeks before the announcement of his candidacy was a key member of the National Liberal Party, said the converts were disenchanted with the PLP and impressed by his candidacy.

“It”s two good things at the same time,” he said. “I think we have to show I”m not just window dressing. But people are open and saying “I”ll look to see where you”re going”.”

Mr. Simmons said things were looking quite positive for his campaign to replace Gary Pitman in the House of Assembly, but he”s not counting his chickens.

“I felt the same thing about Smith”s South and you know how that turned out.”

Mr. Simmons had predicted major inroads for the National Liberal Party in last summer”s Smith”s South by-election to replace Jim Woolridge.

But his former political team mate Graeme Outerbridge came third in the contest with 400 less votes than the winning candidate - Maxwell Burgess of the UBP.

“My days as a prognosticator are over.”

He added that he is now going to focus on action rather than words.

“Well done is better than well said,” he said, quoting Thomas Jefferson. “Basically I can say what I want and people are still going to think what they want to think.”