United Bermuda Party incumbent Wayne Furbert retained his seat in Hamilton West with a close fought victory over first time Progressive Labour Party candidate Charles Clarke.

Mr. Furbert topped the polls with 530 votes to Mr. Clarke's 451 votes. Nine ballots were spoiled.

A clearly emotional Mr. Furbert, who was greeted enthusiastically by his wife and daughter, said: "I feel great, I knew that the people of Hamilton Parish would return me.

"It is (the vote differential) less than I thought but at the end of the day I'm glad I won and now I want to hear how the team made out. If I make it and the team doesn't then Bermuda loses. So my heart is with the team."

Mr. Furbert took the time to thank the voters of Hamilton West and to acknowledge the challenge of Mr. Clarke. "Charles Clarke is a good man and we fought a clean fight, I admire the young man. I think he may be one for the future. If we mess up he has a chance of getting in."

Mr. Clarke, while obviously disappointed, said he will be back. "Wayne was the incumbent so I had to come down here and try a little harder but clearly the people weren't ready for a change.

"I'm still proud of my effort, it was my first time trying this. The people of Hamilton West decided that Mr. Furbert was the man to represent them so I have to accept that and get ready for the next run."

Overall both candidates were impressed by the large number of voters who turned out with 990 people casting ballots out of 1252 registered voters.

RESULT

Charles Clarke (PLP) 451

Wayne Furbert (UBP) 530