Charles Clarke was confirmed yesterday as the Progressive Labour Party choice to fight marginal Hamilton West held by former Opposition leader Wayne Furbert last time by 61 votes.

Mr. Clarke, 45, a banking and credit manager for BTC, grew up in the parish and said his family roots in the neighbourhood were paying dividends in his canvassing. Crime, affordable health care for seniors and housing were the key talking points on the doorstep said Mr. Clarke.

He said: "I have listened to your concerns when canvassing, heard the cry that affordable housing must be a priority, listened to the seniors who want a better quality of life and comprehensive insurance.

"I recognise that crime is robbing Bermuda and this constituency of its soul, as gone are the days when you could lock your doors unlocked and your neighbour was your neighbour.

"I see what the lack of education has done to both our young men and women."

Mr. Clarke, who is League and Competitions chairman for the Bermuda Football Association, hopes to breathe new life into Shelly Bay Field.

He said: "As I walk on Shelly Bay Field I ask myself why isn't there a proper club house for the young and old in this constituency and the greater community?" He also called for showers, changing facilities, floodlights and a running track while stressing he would not like the secluded lagoon to be encroached upon.

"I don't ever want to see Shelly Bay converted into condominiums or housing. It's a piece of open space which needs to be preserved."

Hamilton West has traditionally been a see-saw seat and Mr. Clarke was not making any bold predictions about snatching the seat despite his family roots which saw constituents filling him in on his family history when he knocked on their doors.

He said there was some concern about the Bermuda Housing Corporation from voters while others were saying the PLP deserved another chance after only having two terms.

Mr. Clarke, who has been in the PLP for 14 years and is now assistant treasurer, said the seat had been his first choice to fight. But he stressed it would be an amicable contest against Mr. Furbert and the two were already on friendly terms.