Charlie Swan won the Southampton West Central by-election last night by 115 votes retaining the seat for the United Bermuda Party.

With 427 votes, Mr. Swan ensured the UBP held the Southampton seat while the Progressive Labour Party's Marc Bean was the runner-up with 312 votes and Raymond Davis, the Independent Candidate came in third with 24 votes.

After almost two hours of counting Mr. Swan emerged victorious and said he was elated with the win and was happy the election had been kept on the issues.

He said: "I'm doing great right now and I am elated it's all over. I really need to give credit to the other candidates. We have really tried to keep it focused on the issues and the people of Southampton West Central.

"In a sense this wasn't a safe seat. I didn't treat it as a safe seat, but I am satisfied that we held it. We have a lot of work to do in a few other constituencies in the Western end of the Island and hopefully this will be a start."

Mr. Swan managed to attract almost the same percentage of the electorate with 55.9 percent against two candidates, as the former Southampton West Central MP Jon Brunson who managed 57.3 percent of the electorate when he took the seat in the general election last year against one candidate – Mr. Bean.

Last night PLP's Mr. Bean retained 40.8 percent of the electorate while a year ago his share of the vote had been 42.5 percent.

Mr. Davis' 24 votes in the by-election last night represented 3.1 percent of the electorate in a turnout that was down from 957 in the general election to 763 last night.

The by-election was called after former MP Mr. Brunson resigned in October this year because of work commitments and Mr. Swan, who grew up in the White Hill area and went to Southampton Glebe, decided to run in his home constituency.

Since entering the fight, Mr. Swan had to endure former leader Wayne Furbert publicly decrying his candidacy and lamenting the party had not picked someone who could be a future leader.

And the UBP has been stuck in internal debates with questions were raised about its relevancy as a party.

UBP Leader Kim Swan last night, however, said he had faith in Mr. Swan and it proved that the party was still a strong and viable option.

He said: "I am pleased for the Southampton West Central team of the UBP. Mr. Charlie Swan is now a member of Parliament I am very proud of him.

"I am pleased because it was a very difficult by-election as some of the comments he had to endure but I had faith in Charlie.

"And for us I am excited. There's more about the UBP team that unifies us then keeps us apart. I feel encouraged as a consequence of winning tonight."

Mr. Bean, said he had tried his best and would be more than willing to serve in the Senate again should the Premier select him for that spot.

He added: "The people have spoken. There's nothing I could do or say. I tried my best and they decided on a candidate they felt they could represent them better."

And Premier Ewart Brown, who was not at the polling station, but sent a message of congratulations through his executive aid Jamahl Simmons said he was pleased the PLP had garnered more votes.

He said: "I want to extend my congratulation to Mr. Swan and welcome him to Bermuda's Parliament. While we have to be grateful that in a UBP stronghold we could be less than 20 (percent) difference.

"That's gives us encouragement despite the negative attacks and despite the things that have been attempted to be done to the credibility of the Government.

"We have grown from strength to strength."