The players have certainly changed.

Since Bermuda adopted its Constitution in 1968, voters there have elected the same two men each time they went to the polls.

But the recent departures of Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall and Mr. Harry Viera MP suddenly leave Progressive Labour Party candidate Mr.

Michael Scott the political veteran in the constituency.

The UBP MPs enjoyed comfortable victories and ran unopposed in 1985. But both were considered outsiders in the governing party. That raises questions as to whether Southampton West is as safe a UBP seat as it appears.

Candidates the Hon. Pamela Gordon and Mr. David Dodwell say they are taking nothing for granted.

With 1,600 registered voters -- up from 1,400 in 1989 -- Southampton West is predominantly black. There is also a sizable Portuguese population that reflects its agrarian past.

Voters who have long had two MPs of Portuguese descent now find no Portuguese name on the ballot.

Mainly residential and stretching from Lighthouse Hill to the Sandys Parish boundary, Southampton West has a population density among the lowest on the Island. Aside from the Port Royal Golf Course and the Sonesta Beach, Reefs, and Pompano Beach hotels, there is little commercial development.

Candidates said most concerns heard in Southampton West were those heard everywhere else -- the economy, drugs, crime, and education.

But the now-vacant US Naval Air Annex borders the far west end of the constituency. Voters want to know how that land will be used.

Other local concerns include parking around the Post Office and use of motorised vehicles along the railway trail.

Sen. Gordon, the Minister of Youth and Sport, is making her second bid for elected office after a trial by fire in the PLP stronghold of Pembroke East in 1989.

The 37-year-old daughter of trade union founder Dr. E.F. Gordon said some were surprised to find her in the UBP. But her political views have evolved.

"I was a socialist when I was young,'' she said. "I wore a huge Afro and was right in the middle of all the demonstrations.'' But with children and other responsibilities, "my whole viewpoint changed,'' she said. When her mother needed help, it did not come from where she expected. "The same people that I had assumed were the enemy were the ones who reached out. It was a rude awakening.'' Mr. Dodwell, owner of The Reefs and president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, said he saw links between politics and the hospitality industry.

It gave him the ability to get along with and relate to all kinds of people, he said. And his experience in employee relations would also help, he said.

"We talk about the customer being first, but I believe the employee is first.'' A board member at Bermuda College, Mr. Dodwell, 45, said the impending election was about the future. By improving education, Bermuda could go a long way to solving the employment and drugs problems, he said.

Mr. Scott, a lawyer who sharply improved the PLP's showing by polling 399 votes in 1989, said Mr. Viera's split with the UBP and Mr. Marshall's retirement have "marginalised'' Southampton West.

"The incumbency has disappeared,'' he said. "Now there are two fresh UBP candidates seeking to become known to the constituents.'' Having already contested the seat for the PLP, "it's going to make for a most interesting opportunity,'' he said.

The election was about moving to an economy that was "fairly managed,'' said Mr. Scott, 43. "The politics of business as usual have not served Southampton West well over the last lengthy stewardship.'' Mr. Scott said.

In 1989, Mr. Scott ran alone. Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade has said there will be a second PLP candidate this time. That would not improve his chances.

The National Liberal Party said it would field a candidate in Southampton West, but would not say who. It will not be Mr. Raymond Whitecross, who polled 202 votes for the NLP in 1989, but has since jumped to the UBP.

Sen. Gordon successfully fought a primary to win the right to run for the UBP, and Mr. Dodwell received a strong endorsement at a July 23 special branch meeting. But their work may not be over. Laundry operator Mr. Raymond Davis has said he plans to trigger another UBP primary before the election expected this fall.

MR. DAVID DODWELL and the HON. PAMELA GORDON -- Taking nothing for granted.