battles in the October 5 general election, The Royal Gazette today looks at Pembroke East Central.

Some have called him the Ross Perot of Bermudian politics.

Certainly David Lines has captured attention through his high-profile campaign.

Whether it will wrest the Opposition's grip on Pembroke East Central is another matter, however.

The hard sell is being masterminded from a United Bermuda Party HQ off Happy Valley Road.

Kitted out with computers and garden chairs, the offices are a strange mix of high technology and makeshift informality -- perhaps unsurprising, since the 25 odd volunteers helping the Lines campaign are relatives and friends.

But does the Perot comparison stand? "I take it as a compliment, but I really have no comment on it. We are both so different,'' said Mr. Lines.

The 59-year-old was also keen to dispense with whispers that he had thrust his hands into his own pocket for the campaign.

"That is absolute nonsense. I am not underwriting this campaign. It all comes from party funds.'' Mr. Lines added the offices -- shared with running mate Mr. Lawson Mapp -- were also UBP campaign headquarters for Pembroke East and Devonshire North.

"It costs peanuts to run this office,'' he stressed.

Campaign manager is his cousin Mrs. Susan Wilson, an old hand at the business.

At least part of the Perot comparison does stand, however.

Although a big name locally, Mr. Lines, former chairman of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, is the new boy on the political block.

Mr. Mapp and the Progressive Labour Party MPs Stanley Morton and Mr. David Allen have been there before.

Shadow Delegated Affairs Minister Mr. Morton is the genuine veteran of the four having represented the constituency since 1968.

His combatant Mr. Mapp is an old adversary.

And their tussle is clear evidence of how blood is thicker than water -- except in hurly burly of politics.

The pair are cousins, but leave family matters aside when it comes to battling it out on the hustings.

"We just don't see eye to eye on politics, and I don't really discuss it with him,'' laughed Mr. Mapp.

And his cousin rejoindered: "I don't discount my family. I don't write people off. I believe there is always hope.'' Pembroke East Central -- often labelled the patchwork constituency -- is a vast election battlefield.

Full of the contrasts of modern Bermuda, it takes in most of the City of Hamilton, as well as Government House. It spreads from Front Street to Pembroke Dump, incorporating sub-standard houses to posh condominiums.

The constituency, the electorate of which has expanded by nearly 100 to 1,707 since the 1989 election, is a traditional PLP stronghold.

Voters had a brief flirtation with the UBP in 1985 putting Mr. Robert Barritt and Mr. Mapp into the House of Assembly. But the pair were turfed out four years later, replaced by Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. Allen and Mr. Morton.

The four candidates have found similar concerns among constituents while doorstepping.

They include people struggling to make ends meet, unemployment, the stench from Pembroke Dump, noise, crime and drugs.

Mr. Allen said the constituency was a "natural bedrock for the PLP'', but he and Mr. Morton were far from complacent.

Mr. Mapp described Pembroke East Central as a "mixed grill'', full of contrasts.

He had spoken to many former construction workers hit hard by the recession.

As to the UBP's chances of an upset the City Councillor said: "It looks promising.'' Pembroke East Central: Candidates Stanley Morton, 57, self-employed businessman (PLP); David Allen, 50, publisher and writer (PLP); Lawson Mapp, 55, sign-writer (UBP); David Lines, 59, chartered accountant (UBP).

Electoral Hall -- Dellwood Primary School.

Electorate -- 1,707.

1989 election -- David Allen (PLP) 557; Stanley Morton (PLP) 538; Robert Barritt (UBP) 445; Lawson Mapp (UBP) 398; Raymond Davis (Ind) 85; Lovette Brangman (NLP) 59.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION