Residents of Pembroke West Central were saying the same thing yesterday: "It's time for a change''.

While the opinion of a handful of randomly-chosen voters is anecdotal, the phrase was repeated enough times to suggest a wave of discontent is rippling through the constituency.

Historically the seat is considered a safe UBP stronghold.

But major swings in the 1989 and 1993 elections have shown voters in the residential/industrial area are unafraid to use the ballot box to show disenchantment with incumbents.

Those feelings could this year boil over and complement the significant percentage of votes the PLP has gradually won over the past ten years to bring about a dramatic change.

And for Mrs. Virginia Reid the time is right.

"This time I really feel it's time for a change. I can feel it in the air everywhere I go around here,'' she said yesterday.

"It is so important that everyone of age should vote with two votes for a single party. Splitting your vote is useless. We have to put a party in and give them real power -- give them the numbers.'' Over the clatter of almost deafening industrial equipment, housekeeper Valerie Richardson agreed.

"As you can hear from that noise we need a government that will recognise there is still a neighbourhood here so the industrial area should not just be allowed to get out of control,'' Miss Richardson said.

"Already every time you look around there's another warehouse going up.

"Then there's Belco and many other businesses. They should put a limit on that because there are lots of kids growing up here and this is their home.'' Steel fixer Beresford Lewis is proud to say he will vote PLP on Monday.

"It's going to be closer than ever before,'' he said. "It's definitely time for a change, but unfortunately what we really need is a change to the whole system.

"The parties spend too much time bickering and Bermuda is too small for all this pulling in opposite directions.'' He wants the new government to stop Belco from expanding, reduce its smoke stack emissions and force it to consult with nearby residents.

Grocery store all-rounder, Mrs. Judy Iba, is coy about how she will vote.

"We can do with a change but the problem is we just don't know how the other party will go because they've never been in government before.

"It's a shame they can't all work together. They need to really do something about the drugs which have got out of hand in some places.

"Also we need more affordable housing. I just hope whichever party gets in keeps their promises. Too often they say they'll do all these things before the election but then forget about it after we vote.'' Apprentice motor mechanic Edward Cook said neither major party had made an effort to win over younger voters, so he had not decided whether to even vote.

The disaffected 18-year-old said: "There is so much they could do to help younger people. If they put more money into sports it would give us something to do on weekends and a reason to look forward to something.'' Virginia Reid Edward Cook Judy Iba Beresford Lewis ELECTION '98