With Premier Ewart Brown retiring from politics at the end of this summer, Tim Smith spoke to well-known Progressive Labour Party members hoping to replace him in Constituency 26, as Up Your Street visited Warwick South Central.

Between them, the four Progressive Labour Party members fighting for the right to represent Warwick South Central have hogged a fair few headlines in recent times.

Senators Kim Wilson and Marc Bean have both made their mark in the political scene — Sen. Wilson in pushing through reams of high-profile anti-crime legislation and Sen. Bean with a string of controversial comments in the Upper House.

The two senators are up against two PLP supporters who have so far been better known for their roles outside the party.

Southlands director Nelson Hunt caused a stir six months ago when he told the Everest DaCosta talk show he was "mad as hell", claiming Government was trying to destroy his reputation over the proposed Morgan's Point five-star resort development.

And as president of Bermuda Industrial Union, Chris Furbert has often come into conflict with his own party's Government, not least when parks staff went on strike when two workers were disciplined after arguing with Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney this March.

Tomorrow night, branch members will decide which of the four they want to lead the PLP to a probable victory at the by-election expected in November.

Residents told this newspaper one of the key local issues is the lack of progress on long-awaited plans for a new multi-dimensional complex at Pembroke Hamilton Club's (PHC's) Middle Road-Stadium Lane base.

That could be good news or bad news for PHC president Mr. Furbert.

On the one hand, he's been the man in charge while people have grown frustrated as development has stalled. On the other hand, he now promises there's light at the end of the tunnel, with work imminent amid financial pledges from Government.

Area resident Calvin "Bummy" Symonds, a former Cup Match captain and professional footballer for Rochdale in the UK, praised the club for its efforts despite the absence of a new facility.

"They have done wonders at trying to make a community effort in that area," Mr. Symonds told The Royal Gazette.

"They were trying to get the money to do the club but they have failed to get the money they needed. It would do wonders for the area if they built it. It would be good for young people."

Mr. Symonds, a PLP supporter, said Premier Ewart Brown had been a good local MP, explaining: "He would come into the constituency and get in touch with the people. He always found time for the constituents."

He believes Sen. Bean would be the ideal replacement having been impressed with his work in White Hill. Sen. Bean has been Junior Tourism Minister under Dr. Brown and has worked closely with him for much of the past few years.

Dr. Brown, who has declined to endorse anyone for the seat, told this newspaper: "There is no better constituency to represent than 26. It has been my honour and privilege to work on their behalf.

"They deserve and expect to be represented by someone who is responsive to their needs and respectful of the party and its leader."

Sen. Bean and Sen. Wilson have both been tipped for success in constituencies closer to their homes further west: Sen. Bean in Southampton East where it is rumoured Speaker Stanley Lowe could retire; and Sen. Wilson in Sandys South Central, where Walter Lister is stepping down at the next General Election.

Both senators say living outside the constituency wouldn't stop them giving it maximum focus. But Mr. Furbert points to his advantage of living in Warwick, while Mr. Hunt says his Khyber Pass-based business plays a key part in the local community.

Whichever candidate gets the nod at St. Mary's Church Hall tomorrow night, they may be tempted to think the difficult part is done.

Widely deemed a PLP stronghold, Warwick South Central was won convincingly by Dr. Brown at the 2007 General Election, with 562 votes against United Bermuda Party candidate Roderick Simons' 252.

Four years earlier, Dr. Brown scored 458 votes against 236 for Gwyneth Rawlins of the UBP.

Sen. Bean declined to take part in this feature, explaining in a statement: "It is my honour and privilege to be considered as a potential candidate for Constituency 26, Warwick South Central.

"Out of respect for my party's internal candidate selection process, and my desire to develop and maintain a deeper relationship with the people I seek to represent, I will reserve my comments and vision for the branch members and constituents of Warwick South Central.

"This will be done by canvassing and addressing them in person at St. Mary's Church Hall."