Newcomer Randolph Horton topped the poll for the Progressive Labour Party with 790 votes while partner Arthur Hodgson was returned to Parliament after placing second with 773.

The UBP team of Wayne Furbert and Maxwell Burgess were over a hundred votes back following the first count and the gap slowly widened until the end, where they finished with 539 and 522 votes respectively.

After handing out the defeat, Mr. Horton, the only one of the four candidates who was not raised in Hamilton Parish West said: "I am thankful for all the people in Hamilton West who have shown their confidence in me. I am the only man who is not a Hamilton Parish man. I think it shows that people think of the quality of a person.'' On his team's win, he added: "I am just overwhelmed. I think it just goes to show that hard work pays off. I certainly feel that we will be outstanding representatives for the people in Hamilton Parish and Bermuda.

"I want to thank everybody. We just had a wonderful team of people. Arthur and I worked well together; we bounced off of each other. The rest of the people, (Hamilton Parish campaign chairman) Dr. (Wilbert) Warner and all the folks at headquarters pushed us when we were tired and it has paid off.'' His running mate, Mr. Hodgson agreed: "I am just extremely grateful all the work that has been put in by the workers and Dr. Warner and his campaign committee. Mr. Horton has worked like a trojan and it has all brought about dividends.

"At the end of the day the heart of the people is in the hands of the Lord. I hope we measure up to the confidence the people have put in us.'' Mr. Burgess and Mr. Furbert seized their seats in the 1993 election, squeezing out former PLP incumbents Julian Hall and Eugene Blakeney. The UBP team took 53 percent of the 2,089 votes polled that year.

UBP candidate Mr. Burgess said: "Certainly the people of Hamilton West have spoken. They were very clear in their choice.

"It's early days but I will certainly be getting on with my private life.

That is something else to look forward to.

His team-mate Mr. Furbert said: "We worked very hard for Hamilton West over the last five years. Hamilton West has spoken and we will abide by their wishes.'' RESULTS Randolph Horton (PLP) 790 Arthur Hodgson (PLP) 773 Wayne Furbert (UBP) 539 Maxwell Burgess (UBP) 522 Rejected ballots 0