Fiery Public Safety and Housing Minister David Burch is being polled in Southampton East — the Progressive Labour Party stronghold currently held by House speaker Stanley Lowe.

Recently the PLP has been ringing voters to assess which potential candidates have the most appeal as the party gears up for a likely summer election.

Last time Mr. Lowe beat UBP challenger Calvin Simons by a whopping 316 votes.

Mr. Lowe, who has represented Southampton East continuously for 30 years, has yet to say whether he plans to fight this election or step down.

Soundings have also been taken for Melvin Dickinson, Director of the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Disabled in the phone poll for Southampton East. Dr. Dickinson has also been linked with some of the Warwick seats.

And The Royal Gazette also understands construction boss Zane DeSilva is one of the names being polled in Southampton West Central where the UBP's Jon Brunson beat PLP challenger Michael Scott last time by more than 100 votes.

Also linked to the seat are Premier Ewart Brown's Chief of Staff Wayne Caines, former Senator Raymond Tannock and community activist Mark Bean who are all from the West End.