Changing faces in political landscape

A traditionally United Bermuda Party area, the Southampton West Central seat at the 2003 General Election was won by Jon Brunson, who beat Michael Scott of the Progressive Labour Party by 496 votes to 357.

Mr. Brunson held onto the seat four years later, this time beating the PLP's Marc Bean by 548 to 406.

When Mr. Brunson quit his seat in late 2008, the resulting by-election was billed as a chance for the PLP to score a surprise victory over its traditional rival, which at the time was suffering from internal squabbling ahead of a succession of resignations.

And Independent candidate Raymond Davis — better known as third party hopeful Khalid Wasi — threw his own hat into the ring amid hopes of a new dawn in politics that wasn't just about PLP versus UBP.

In the event, December's by-election simply turned out to be more of the same, with Charlie Swan winning for the UBP with 427 votes to Marc Bean's 312. Mr. Davis picked up just 24 votes as constituents gave a resounding thumbs down to the idea of a third candidate.

The area is known for its quiet neighbourhoods, although there was concern late last year when it was thought a gunman was sighted in the Granaway Heights area after gunshots were heard in Paget.