Businessman Charles Gosling became Mayor of Hamilton last night, defeating opponents Sonia Grant and Kathryn Gibbons in an election that attracted a turnout of almost 80 percent.

Ballots were cast by 374 voters in the Corporation of Hamilton contest, with a team of nine candidates — who campaigned together on a pledge to bring change to the capital — winning control of the city.

Mr. Gosling, who polled 158 votes, will be joined on the municipality by running mates Pamela Ferreira, John Harvey and Glen Smith as aldermen, and Walter Cross, Marshall Minors, Pamela Quarterly, Nicholas Swan and Dennis Tucker as common councillors.

The father-of-two and managing director of Goslings told The Royal Gazette he was "dazed" by his win, but confident that he and his team could successfully fight a Government plan to get rid of the Corporation.

"It means we have a lot of work to do," said the 56-year-old, after the result was announced at City Hall just after 11.30 p.m. "The first thing we have got to do is start communication with the Government and hopefully that will happen over the next day or two.

"I also want to meet with the staff of the Corporation, really just to assure them that with this new team we are going to do our best to protect them and the Corporation."

Last month, it was announced that the Corporation of Hamilton and the municipality in St. George's will be abolished, with their services transferred to Government. Despite this, last night's turnout was the highest for a long time in a city election, according to returning officer John Cooper.

Mr. Cooper said it was the first election since 1946 in which all nine seats were contested. There are 477 eligible voters on the municipal register, with a little more than 78 percent voting yesterday.

"That's a number I have never seen before," Mr. Cooper told those watching the three-and-a-half hour count at City Hall. "It's at least 15 percent or so higher than previous elections."

All the winners and losers last night agreed that the plan to eradicate a tier of government appeared to have galvanised voters.

Miss Grant, who came second in the mayoral race with 123 votes, said of the turnout: "I believe it sends a statement. It sends a message. I have contacted over 300 people. No one has indicated that they favour Government's proposal."

Last night was the former deputy mayor's second failed attempt to win the top job. She said afterwards that Mr. Gosling's joint slate of seven candidates was unbeatable.

"They've locked it down," she said. "I'd certainly like to thank all of the voters who did come out to support me."

Former councillor Mrs. Gibbons trailed behind in third place, with 89 votes. She said Mr. Gosling's team effort swayed voters.

"I think it definitely had an effect all the way through," she said. "I just wish all the new members the best. The voters have spoken and there's a big challenge ahead. I'm confident they can meet that challenge."

Mr. Harvey, who polled the most actual votes of the night (297) to rise from councillor to alderman, said of the team: "We won the whole slate and I think the voters of Hamilton have spoken. Now we must deliver and we will."

He said he was confident that the new members would come to an agreement with Government to keep the Corporation intact. "I think what we understand is this Government wants to talk and we do also," he said. "It's one step at a time."

Graeme Outerbridge, who came last of seven candidates in the common councillor race with 167 votes, pledged not to run again for a seat on the municipality.

"Ouch!" he said of the result. "Three strikes and I'm out. I think the vote of the city has spoken that it wants a fresh page and I have to accept that."

He suggested voters may have chosen the team in the belief that it was the best way to safeguard the Corporation.

"What we are seeing is not so much an election of individuals but a city under threat. It seems like a political manifestation of a team. It seems to be a frightened electorate."

Mr. Gosling was sworn in as Mayor just before midnight, taking over from outgoing Mayor Sutherland Madeiros, who has described the Government's plan to wipe out the municipalities as undermining local democracy.

Mr. Madeiros said last night: "I think it was an excellent turnout and obviously successful because we had every single position challenged, which hadn't happened for a very long time."

First-time candidate for councillor Mr. Swan, son of former UBP Premier Sir John Swan, said the Corporation's precarious position was a key factor in his decision to run.

"The Corporation's institutions have been around since 1798 and it's an institution in peril," said the 36-year-old, who is the youngest member of the new team. "That was really the clarion call for me to help preserve this body."

Yesterday's team win is understood to be the first time individual nominees have grouped together to encourage voters to select all of them for City Hall positions.

The turnout for this election compares to about 66 percent for the last full municipal election in 2006.

Mayoral vote:

Charles Gosling = 158

Sonia Grant = 123

Kathryn Gibbons = 89

Alderman vote:

John Harvey = 297

Glen Smith = 281

Pamela Ferreira = 273

David Dunkley = 105

Common councillor vote:

Dennis Tucker = 287

Marshall Minors = 263

Walter Cross = 259

Nicholas Swan = 240

Pamela Quarterly = 204

Sheilagh Robertson = 169

Graeme Outerbridge = 167

Winners in bold