Derick Tucker is homeless and jobless so he might understandably be a little disillusioned with politics right now. He admits that's the case ¿ but it won't stop him using his vote on December 18.

The 44-year-old, known as Papa, told The Royal Gazette: "I'm on the verge of getting kicked out of Club Med so I'm fed up with Government, period.

"It's a little hard for me to vote for a government that doesn't care about the people. They just look for votes so they can benefit themselves."

In constituency one, where he's sitting having a drink on Ordnance Island with his pals, his choices on election day are either PLP incumbent and former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith or UBP contender and Deputy Mayor of St. George Kenneth Bascome.

Last time around, in July 2003, Dame Jennifer narrowly seized the day, with just eight votes more than Mr. Bascome. Hours later, she lost the leadership of the Progressive Labour Party.

Mr. Tucker says he sees the former Premier around the town of St. George but she has never stopped to ask him about the issues that concern him and his friends.

So will he vote for the Opposition in protest at his current dire straits or abstain altogether? Neither. "I'll vote PLP," he says. Asked why, his friends chip in with calls of "they're his people" but Mr. Tucker simply says: "It's unexplainable. They are not the ones that are really kicking me out. It's the two parties fighting one another."

Derick's determination to vote for the Progressive Labour Party is echoed by his friends.

Asked what problems are faced by residents of St. George's North, carpenter Steve Millett says: "The problem is the politicians."

But he's wearing a green PLP wristband and he adds: "This is my first time voting and I'm 47. Dame Jennifer has worked hard. I don't care that when she was Premier they voted her out.

"I grew up with Kenny Bascome, he's a good guy. But when I go to the polling booth, it'll be to vote PLP."

Another man, who identifies himself only as 'Ears', says: "I'm voting. I'm strictly for the people ¿ PLP. The UBP ran this country for 30 years. We have only had it for nine years."