The Premier's golfing buddy will take on a seasoned veteran in one of the Island's marginal constituencies, Southampton East Central.

As a first time candidate Zane Desilva will be running against UBP stalwart David Dodwell, who has been an MP for 13 years.

During the last election Mr. Dodwell held onto the seat by the skin of his teeth, 20 votes, against businessman Raymond Tannock.

His win was attributed to his cross over appeal, 70 percent of the voters are black.

Many expected Mr. Tannock to run again in the constituency, especially as he vowed to be back after the close vote last time around.

But PLP party bosses placed Mr. Desilva in the seat, despite the objections from the Southampton branch who wanted Mr. Tannock to run again.

On December 18 the Saltus Grammar School alumni will go head to head and it is expected to be another tight battle, though sources in both parties say Mr. Dodwell should have an easier run of it this time around.

With 1,211 voters in the constituency The Royal Gazette took to the streets to speak to some of some people living along Lighthouse Road and South Road to find out what their main concerns were.

Though many said they would not be named a reoccurring theme was the need to ensure that the streets of Southampton East Central were clean and safe for locals and tourists.

The constituency is home to the Fairmont Southampton Princess, Gibbs Hill Light House, Sea Venture Water Sports, Henry VIII Restaurant and Pub, Dive Bermuda, South Shore Park and Horseshoe Bay.

Thirty-six-year-old Jay White said he was concerned that every summer visitors were getting attacked while walking from one tourist attraction to another in the evenings.

"It is an on going issue," he said. "I hope they do something about the crime in this area because it seems to happen every summer. We could do with more lights in the area as well."

Mr. White added that there seemed to be a drug problem in certain areas of the constituency.

Meanwhile Ephraim Simmons, who is 77 and retired, said she also wanted more lights on the streets. She has been living in the area over 30 years.

"They really need to keep up with road repairs, especially as we have so many tourists coming around. I used to do it myself.

"I would go out on to Lighthouse Road and trim the bushes and sweep away trash. I am getting to old for that.

"With all the people walking to and from the lighthouse it is unsafe. There need to be more lights for them as well."

Roger Hart, who is 62 and also retired, said he could not think of any major issues in the constituency but agreed that some more lighting would be helpful in the area.

With the last election being so close in Southampton East Central people said they were not sure who would win the day this year.

But some of the voters The Royal Gazette spoke to made it clear that it did not matter who was running in the constituency, they were voting along party loyalties.

Mr. White said he would be voting UBP.

"Mr. Dodwell has been by and I was pleased with what he had to say," he said. "I haven't spoken to Mr. Desilva but I do know has been in the neighbourhood. It doesn't really matter what he has to say, no matter who they put in the PLP seat I would be voting UBP.

"I've spoken to people in the neighbourhood and a lot of them seem unhappy with the PLP, especially all the allegations about the Bermuda Housing Corporation."

Mr. Hart echoed the sentiments, that he would be voting based on party loyalty and not the individuals running in Southampton East Central.

"I've met Mr. Dodwell before and he is a nice guy,"he said. "I haven't spoken to Mr. Desilva yet but I will be voting PLP, that is my party. This is traditional a UBP area but hopefully the PLP will win it this time."

Mrs. Simmons said both men had stopped by her house she thought they were both enjoyable and couldn't guess who would win this time around.