the constituency's record as a safe UBP seat ended last night with St. David's Islander PLP candidate Mr. Arthur Pitcher's impressive showing.

Mr. Pitcher was well in the race for the majority of the count, leading Mr.

Spurling at the quarter count by four votes. Midway through that count, he trailed the lawyer by four votes. The stage was set for a thrilling finish when Mrs. Bell, who first won her seat in 1985, was 16 votes behind Mr.

Pitcher and Mr. Spurling nine ahead.

With 139 ballots left to count, just three votes separated Mrs. Bell from Mr.

Pitcher, in second place.

In the end Mrs. Bell finished 41 votes ahead of Mr. Pitcher. With 579 votes, Mr. Spurling topped the poll.

"I feel they know I'm here now,'' said a pleased Mr. Pitcher.

It was the best showing by a PLP candidate in this constituency. Mr. Pitcher said he was encouraged enough by his performance to remain in politics.

"Where I gave 100 percent this time, I will have to give 120 percent next time,'' he said. "I consider this a moral victory. This is the first time we've even gotten anywhere near this. I would like to congratulate Mrs. Bell and Ricky Spurling.'' Mr. Spurling, Mrs. Bell and the NLP's Ms Cheryl Pooley made mention of the number of plumps Mr. Pitcher received. He also shared many ballots with Ms Pooley, who despite an encouraging start, fell behind during the long run.

As promised by Ms Pooley before the election, her failure to win a seat confirmed her departure from politics. "This was my last try,'' said the former PLP candidate.

"I'm completely out of politics. I'll concentrate on some community work and maybe get married...if asked,'' she said.

Both Mr. Spurling and Mrs. Bell said they realised that they could not rest on their laurels in a constituency that was changing with the new and younger vote.

"I was very encouraged at the beginning and somewhat at the end. During the whole there were people we didn't know and a lot of young voters and it's quite clear Arthur Pitcher had numerous plumpers,'' said Mrs. Bell.

"It's a new element that was introduced when Jennifer Smith got in (1989 in St. George's North). Historically, UBP voters come out early in the morning and we had to wait until we got to the bottom of the barrel.'' Mr. Spurling added: "This is probably the best showing the PLP has ever made.

Cheryl Pooley was about where I expected her to be. Arthur Pitcher got many more votes than I had expected which does send a message to us.'' RESULTS Rick Spurling (UBP) 579 Grace Bell (UBP) 558 Arthur Pitcher (PLP) 517 Cheryl Pooley (NLP) 300 Void ballots 3.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION