Southampton West Central will see a three-man race on December 17 with incumbent Charles Swan determined to hold the seat as an independent candidate.Elected into Parliament under the United Bermuda Party banner, he does not believe his independent status will block another victory.Mr Swan will fight One Bermuda Alliance candidate Shawn Crockwell and the Progressive Labour Party’s Scott Simmons for the seat this time around.Mr Crockwell predicts a win for the OBA in Constituency 31, where both he and Mr Simmons are first-time contenders.Mr Simmons says a three-way race makes the seat winnable for the PLP for the first time ever.They all concede it’s likely to be a close race.They found that the economy, coupled with record unemployment, dissatisfaction with the national debt and Government spending topped the list of concerns in the constituency.Voters are increasingly worried about protecting their assets in an ailing economy. Their election choices will be based on how candidates respond to their concerns about depreciating real estate values and land tax.“On the doorstep, I’m not hearing concerns about my independent status, I’m hearing concerns on the state of our economy,” said Mr Swan.“These constituents want to know how Bermuda fits into the big picture and what the plan is to pay off the $1.5 billion national debt. This is largely a rural constituency, so protecting open spaces matters to the people here.“They’ve saved, they’ve purchased or built their own homes, and they’re very focused on doing things right. There’s homeowners losing jobs and seniors who own homes on fixed incomes who have seen that income played with to a certain extent.”“We have quite a few seniors living here who have concerns about the depreciating values of homes, and the fact that land tax has not gone down with it,” he said.And there’s a general sentiment that they are fed up with party politics, he says.He continued: “The voice of an independent is a voice for the people without party lines. People are generally disenchanted with the way this Country is going and the way Bermuda has suffered under the system of party politics.”He believes that dissatisfaction will drive voters to the polls.“This race will be won on swing votes. You will find families swinging as a whole as a result of disenchantment; this could be the race of the independents.”Mr Crockwell believes the Island is ready for change.“What I’m hearing is that people are looking at the OBA very seriously because they appreciate that we’re the only viable alternative. I’ve received a great deal of support and on the doorstep I’m assured of votes for the OBA.”He said of his talks with voters: “Mismanagement of public funds, the various concerns raised by the Auditor General and the way certain projects have been handled is what I’m hearing. People are not pleased with the way this Government has handled the public purse.“It doesn’t appear as if Government has come up with initiatives quick enough to address crime and there’s a general concern that a lot of the policies have been more political as opposed to what’s good for the Country.”Political pundits suggest this election will not be totally focused on party allegiance, but rather what’s in the best interest of the Country.“I wouldn’t have gone to Constituency 31 if I didn’t think we could win,” the former Pembroke West MP said. “People are looking for a change of direction. They either want change or they don’t. Either way, on December 17 we will know.”Mr Simmons believes he’s best suited to serve the people in C31.“This race will be as close as it gets,” he predicted.“Southampton West Central is an affluent society made up of sophisticated Bermudians who know the real issues. You’ve got homeowners with empty apartments, voters here are driven by the school fees they’ve paid, mortgages and loans that they have taken care of.“They’re concerned about the quality of their lives in retirement and yes, they want to know how we’re going to pay down the national debt they want time lines too. But they are also cognisant of the challenges because they know everybody has bills.“Everybody knows what it feels like to have a budget and how it’s difficult at times to make ends meet. But these constituents also know what it feels like to spend money they’ve worked hard for.“It’s a sophisticated constituency. These people understand full well the dynamics and my supporters here know this Government fully understands all of the dynamics. I believe it will boil down to the individual’s ability to get the job done, no matter who wins. Ultimately however, the Government of the day will remain the Government.”