A large working majority and the head of the Opposition leader — despite losing an MP, there is no doubt the PLP had a night to savour last night.

The shock of the night was Zane DeSilva's 48-vote win over David Dodwell.

Certainly the building boss was lapping up the result after ending David Dodwell's 13-year parliamentary career.

Shouts of 'JP MP' rang out from the excited group of party faithful at the PLP Southampton HQ as they hugged their new MP.

With their hands in the air, there were resounding cries of 'hip hip hurray'.

Asked what his first plan of business was as an MP, Mr. DeSilva responded: "That's up to my boss, Dr. the Honourable."

Meanwhile Reefs' owner Mr. Dodwell seemed shell-shocked by the outcome.

Attorney General Phillip Perinchief suffered another unsuccessful night at the polls as he lost St. George's South, previously held by retiring MP Renee Webb, to UBP newcomer Donte Hunt who, at 29, becomes the youngest MP in the House.

Mr. Perinchief said: "I am really disappointed. It was a good fight. It's just one of those things."

Mr. Hunt: "It's overwhelming and unbelievable. Surreal is another word as well. I have a responsibility and I will work hard for all the voters of St. George's South.

"The people of Bermuda deserve someone who will work hard for them and properly represent them. I am here to serve them.

"It's a testament not just to my hard work but also the support of my wife. I have also had an incredible team assisting me and the UBP's message of hope."

As he finally tasted victory at a general election, Kim Swan turned into a Bermudian version of Superman, taking off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his own secret power — a good luck shirt given to him by his stepdaughter Mailinn Wong.

Through tears, savouring his victory in St. George's West, Mr. Swan said his stepdaughter had become a doctor that day and he was wearing the shirt from the medical institute in Pennsylvania where she was on an internship.

On a cold evening by Bermuda standards, the former Senator opened his shirt to proudly show the good luck item he had been wearing throughout the day as he had greeted voters at the Cruise Ship Terminal at Tiger Bay.

Then Mr. Swan, fighting the high emotion of the moment, recounted the 25 years he had been striving to win a House of Assembly seat and how he had given up his life as a professional golfer to give himself 100 percent to representing the people.

Mr. Swan overturned a 22-vote majority to defeat sitting MP Dean Foggo by 457 to 440. The pair had also duelled for the seat in 2003.

This time it was Mr. Foggo who was first to depart the building, having offered his congratulations to the victor.

"This is important for the people in this country that are struggling. I have been speaking for the people and I'm going to be their voice," Mr. Swan said, explaining the Island is now so expensive that many ordinary Bermudians are struggling.

"I care about Bermuda," he said. "I'm going to fight for Bermuda. This country needs some healing and it starts from today. I love everybody in Bermuda and you are going to hear my voice fighting for them."

Despite losing her seat in St. David's, UBP's Suzann Roberts-Holshouser remained upbeat last night.

The well-known ZBM weather presenter — who is also operations administrator at Bacardi — said she would keep a close eye on the PLP to make sure the St. David's residents' interests were not lost.

Accompanied by her husband and other supporters, the former Shadow Minister for Women's Affairs and Child and Family Services was unbowed and smiling as she left Clearwater Middle School.

Her victorious opponent, PLP newcomer Lovitta Foggo, was tearful however, as were her two daughters who kept vigil at the polling station throughout the count, one of the longest of the night as Constituency 3 had the highest number of registered voters.

Ms Foggo's were tears of joy, however, and she also admitted she was exhausted.

Not too exhausted to celebrate though, as the PLP contingent for St. David's formed an impromptu, honking cavalcade with the eventual destination of Alaska Hall.