The Progressive Labour Party was swept back into power last night taking out Opposition leader Michael Dunkley in a virtual carbon copy of the 2003 election result.

The party picked up 22 seats while the UBP won just 14 — losing not only their leader but also big-hitter David Dodwell who was ousted by newcomer Zane DeSilva by 48 votes in Southampton East Central.

The PLP's third win, done with an increased turn-out, gives Premier Ewart Brown a huge mandate for change while the scale of the UBP's defeat casts doubt on its long-term viability.

The new group of UBP MPs are expected to pick a leader next week with Patricia Gordon-Pamplin acting as leader in the meantime.

Last night jubilant PLP supporters danced on Court Street and brandished cartons of milk as they poked fun at defeated Dunkley's Dairy boss Michael Dunkley.

Last night Premier Ewart Brown said: "We have work to do. What I have said to the candidates, and what I will say to your new Governor, is that we have won the election, now we must execute the agenda.

"Let me ask you to bear with us because my job now is to lead the country — those who want it and those who don't. My job is to help us heal after this tough war."

Insiders predict Premier Brown will ring the changes with a new Cabinet likely to include radically new portfolios as well as new faces.

Mr. Dunkley, who lost the election, his seat and the leadership of his party in one crushing night, said: "Going in today I felt comfortable in this seat ... I was wrong. It didn't work out.

"I haven't even thought about tomorrow. It's very difficult, especially when you thought you'd succeed, it's probably more difficult for the people working hard with me. After coming through a very difficult election period, tomorrow we have to wake up as Bermudians, put our lives back in order, and try to bridge some of the gaps we've created over these last seven weeks.

"Tomorrow we'll wake up and we'll go back to work ... we'll rise tomorrow ready to fight another day."

To Dr. Brown, he said: "You've been given the tremendous responsibility of leading this island. People expect you to serve with honour and integrity. I wish you all the best in doing that."

Acting leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin paid tribute to Mr. Dunkley, saying: "Michael led us through this election campaign demanding one thing — we leave everything on the field, we put every effort into what we do.

"There are times when the selflessness of an individual shines through. Michael gave up what he created as a safe constituency and moved into another that he had to fight very hard to win."

But on the night the east end was the only place where the Opposition made any headway — with Kim Swan taking St. George's West off Dean Foggo by 17 votes and Donte Hunt beating Attorney General Philip Perinchief in St. George's South by 25 votes.

But the Opposition suffered a reverse in St. David's where Lovitta Foggo took the seat off Suzann Holshouser by 90 votes.

UBP chairman Shawn Crockwell enters Parliament after Pembroke West — held briefly by the PLP when former UBP MP Jamahl Simmons defected — reverts to the Opposition while heavyweights Mark Pettingill and Bob Richards have also been elected. And beyond that it was virtually business as usual with the UBP scarcely making an impact in seats high on their target list to capture.

Former Premier Jennifer Smith again beat Kenny Bascome — this time increasing her eight vote majority to 25.

The UBP slipped back in Pembroke Central as Wayne Perinchief virtually doubled his majority while Dale Butler got back in marginal Warwick North East with an increased majority.

PLP MP El James re-enters parliament after a five-year absence as he brushed aside a challenge from Wayne Scott in Warwick North Central.

Voter turn out at 75.8 percent was five percent up on 2003 but still less than the 81.4 percent seen in 1998.

In 2003 the PLP took 51.7 percent of the vote and won 22 seats while the UBP took 48 percent of the vote and won 14 seats.

This time around the PLP took 52.3 percent of the votes and 61.1 percent of the seats and the UBP took 47.2 percent of the vote and 38.8 percent of the seats.

Independent Harold Darrell, the famous 'Son of the Soil' who leaked the BHC Police files made no impact with his 24 votes on the result in Pembroke Central where Cabinet Minister Wayne Perinchief increased his majority.

And the other independent, Roger Russell picked up just 43 votes in Pembroke West Central held easily by Neletha Butterfield.

Former independent MP Stuart Hayward said he was surprised by the scale of the PLP win.

He said: "The UBP ran a credible campaign by any standards, and kept their cool in the face of hostile attacks.

"This will no doubt be read by PLP and Dr. Brown as an endorsement of their policies and their implementation."

However he pointed out that a year or so ago Dr. Brown had boasted of winning 30 seats.

"Anything less than that is bound to be viewed as a disappointment, to the party faithful if not to Dr. Brown himself."

Liberal pundit Tom Vesey said: "People who are opposed to the current government are going to have to think about forming a new opposition party.

"The PLP had so many things going against it, and the UBP ran a good, clean campaign.

"It's not easy to see what they could have done differently, and it still didn't work. Maybe it's time to try something new."