United Bermuda Party candidate Cole Simons expects to top the poll in Smith's South, the solidly middle class constituency which has traditionally been a UBP stronghold.

But Progressive Labour Party candidate Elizabeth Christopher says the feedback she has been getting on the doorsteps has been good - with PLP supporters saying the party deserves a second term and that District 8 is there to be taken.

The seat is split fairly evenly between blacks and whites and there is a high proportion of professionals. Not surprisingly, issues such as education are of concern to the voters, but so are more social issues such as affordable housing and healthcare for seniors.

The seat is about 75 percent of old Smith's North which was held by the UBP. It runs from Harrington Hundreds Road in the east to Morer Estate, Verdmont Road and Middle Road in the west. And it goes from North Shore Road down to Pokiok estate and the Spittal Pond Nature Reserve.

Besides seniors, Mr. Simons said there are many people in their 50's and 60's in the seat looking at retirement plans who are concerned at healthcare provisions.

He said: "We do have a lot of UBP supporters in the area. There are a lot of people whose lives haven't improved as a result of the PLP government. They had expectations that were not met and they are disenchanted."

Locally, issues are the same as nationally - seniors' healthcare, drugs, crime and affordable housing.

"It is interesting to see middle class professional people saying, `I've got a good job, my wife has a good job, and I can't seem to get enough to get a house'.

"They feel that there has to be some balance between international business pushing up rents and the need to be able to afford by a home. Homeowners are saying `Don't rent to Bermudians, go to expats because you get more (money) and less hassles'.

"Then you talk to middle managers, hard working people with degrees, who are finding it difficult to get the money for a down payment. Some are even entertaining the idea of leaving the Island because they can't afford to live here. We can't allow our professional people to be leaving the Island. We need good governance so that it is affordable to live here.

"Without a doubt I will top the poll, without any question whatsoever. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive.

"People in various parts of the community I thought were PLP have called me since I started canvassing saying I have their support. It has been absolutely wonderful."

Lawyer Elizabeth Christopher is standing for the PLP for the first time and thinks she has a reasonable chance. She said: "There are serious concerns about the environment. There are also concerns about junctions at Collector's Hill and Town Hill and Harrington Sound. And there are concerns to ensure that scholarships are administered fairly. There is a suggestion that because it takes so long to get a professional qualification that Government scholarship ages be raised from 23 to 25.

"The campaign has been going really well and I'm getting a lot of really positive feedback from people who were PLP supporters who think the government should be given another chance to complete the work they have begun and they are very pleased with the things that have been done.

"There is a UBP candidate, but at the last election people took ownership of the government and people are going to want a candidate who speaks to their issues because I don't think they've ever had a really coherent, articulated voice for people in this area. If that's what people are looking for, I think my chances are really good."