Party because it had repeatedly failed to keep its promises to them.

They agreed with their candidates' claims that Government's wavering over the St. George's-only cruise ship was a major factor in UBP incumbent Mr. Phillip Smith's seat loss.

And the fact the old Club Med property remained unsold more than three years after it closed down had not helped.

One voter said the rumour "no boat no vote'' was going around the Old Town the week before the election.

"(Mr. Smith) lost basically because of the ship,'' florist Ms Susan Duncan said, adding she was disappointed to see Mr. Smith go. "We have had nothing concrete on the ship.'' Mr. Smith himself had admitted after losing to PLP candidate Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams that the Tourism Ministry's failure to announce the name of the new ship before the election had hurt him. The Town should have had the ship three years ago, he had added.

Most St. Georgians interviewed by The Royal Gazette during an afternoon walkabout of the Old Town were pleased with the PLP St. George's North team of Ms Jennifer Smith and Mr. Williams. They believed they would "get things done''.

A few were disappointed Mr. Smith lost, saying he had always been there for them. But they said if he could not get Government's backing on St. George's issues, it was probably for the best.

St. Georgian Mrs. Michelle Darrell said issues that swayed voters towards the PLP were: "The blundering of the National Stadium, the Airport fiasco, the cruise ship and the fact the Holiday Inn's (old Club Med) still sitting up there like a monument for about the fifth year.'' Shopper Ms Luvenda Brangman said: "I think (the result) shows that St.

George's is ready for a change. How many years have the UBP been in power there (St. George's North) and there's been no change?'' Retailer Mrs. Margaret Bleeker said the outcome took her by surprise.

"Phillip Smith has been very good to me. Whenever I needed help he was there to help me.'' Painter Mr. Cyril Dowling also believed "the cruise ship situation'' caused Mr. Smith's loss.

St. Georgians did not believe Tourism Minister the Hon. Mr. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge was looking out for them, he said.

"How come that hotel (the old Club Med) is still empty and Club Med still holds the lease even though they are not using it?,'' he asked.

Sales assistant Ms Denise Gardner said: "St. George's North PLP candidates did their job. They deserve their place. The people were getting tired of them not doing their job. And they were sick and tired of unfulfilled promises.'' Mr. Harry Matthew agreed, saying his desire to "get the PLP in'' was the reason he voted this year.

"I think the cruise ship had a lot to do with the result,'' Mr. Calvin Smith said, adding Mr. Williams seemed to have received "the young vote''.

Bartender Mr. Walter Paynter said: "We needed a change of Government because of broken promises. Now that Jimmy Williams is in, hopefully things will change.'' Sales lady Ms Joanne O'Doli said: "Mr. Smith did not have his Government's full support behind him and the people of St. George's recognised this. They were looking for someone who could do things for them.'' Though she supported Mr. Smith, she believed that if voting him out was in the Old Town's interest, it had to be done.

"Things are not happening quickly enough,'' Mr. Dennis Smith said. Bartender Miss Renee Ward, who found out at the polling station on Tuesday that she was unable to vote because of a registration glitch, said she did not even believe the Old Town would finally get its own ship as promised next May.

She believed Mr. Williams would put St. George's interests at the fore.

Ms Joanne O'Doli Mrs. Michelle Darrell Mr. Walter Paynter Mr. Cyril Dowling Miss Renee Ward Ms Denise Gardner.