in past elections.

The margins between the victors in this split-seat constituency in the last election had been slim with fewer than 70 votes between the four major candidates.

Former UBP senior statesman Irving Pearman topped the polls in the 1993 race.

This time voters rallied behind the party of their choice -- the PLP.

Alex Scott, savouring victory after spending decades supporting the PLP as it sat on the Opposition benches, said this election had challenged the thinking that Warwick East was a swing constituency. "It's not marginal any more!'' he said.

The writing was on the wall by lunch time, with PLP voters crowding to the polls to vote, many in jubilant mood, others dressed in green to illustrate their party loyalty.

The first count set the trend, and it never veered from the course that would bring the PLP to one of its most important successes of the evening.

Mr. Butler led the count from the first, polling 330 votes, with Mr. Scott just behind with 319 votes.

Former UBP Senator Bob Richards, who has been the UBP's Leader in the Upper House, and fellow former Senator Larry Scott -- both newcomers to the constituency -- were also within a whisker of each other, with Mr. Richards polling 165 votes and his running mate pipping him with 173 votes. The positions of the four candidates never altered.

At the end of the count, Mr. Scott emerged from the polling station to learn the PLP would win its first victory. His delight at the news was palpable. He credited the PLP's election campaign, which he described as "superlative'', to leader Jennifer Smith.

Mr. Butler was also savouring his first victory at the polls. He, too, thanked voters in Warwick East, as well as friends and family.

The UBP candidates were not on hand for the count, but arrived within minutes of the result being announced. Lawrence Scott congratulated Alex Scott with the words: "Good fight -- I thought a Scott would do well!'' Mr. Richards' disappointment was obvious but he was philosophical. "We have been swept aside by a groundswell of support for the other party.'' Mr. Scott looked to the future of the UBP. "We have some work to do -- and some thinking to do.'' RESULTS Dale Butler (PLP) 1,320 Alex Scott(PLP) 1,278 Lawrence Scott(UBP) 784 E.T. (Bob) Richards(UBP) 776 Rejected ballots 4