It could be a tough fight in Warwick North East when Progressive Labour Party favourite Dale Butler takes on the United Bermuda Party's outspoken Mark Pettingill on July 24.

The two candidates are both attempting to win over the voters with promises of hard work and honesty as the people call for improvements to education, a reduction in crime and further affordable housing.

While Mr. Butler has a following on both sides of the political fence for his fearless approach to hot issues and sometimes independent thinking which has occasionally led him to speak out against his party, Mr. Pettingill is also well known and Constituency 25 has a number of die-hard UBP supporters.

It is a varied constituency with a diverse mix of people and is considered middle class, meaning it could be a close call in the Warwick North East seat.

The issues in the constituency are much the same as in others, with education, crime and housing coming out tops, and potholes in roads also coming up for a mention.

There are 1,067 eligible voters in the area, which contains Belmont Golf Club, Warwick Academy, Lindo's supermarket, some smaller stores, and a number of churches.

Although Mr. Pettingill is not new to politics, having represented the UBP in the Senate between 1999 and last year, this is the first time he will have stood as an MP designate.

Although Mr. Butler was a newcomer in the 1998 election, he scored a resounding victory in the old Warwick East district back then, winning 1,320 votes, and is now looked upon as a favourite of the voters.

However, the former headteacher's headstrong and maverick approach to some issues has left him wallowing on the backbenches of the PLP Government, leaving some people to believe that he has little or no weight with the key players of his party. It will be interesting to see if he manages to keep the faith of his loyal supporters. Resident Bruce Fox, of Fairway Drive, Warwick, said he would not be on the Island to vote in the General Election in three week's time, but said he felt his hands were tied anyway.

“This is Dale's territory, but he seems to be on the back burner,” said Mr. Fox, a teacher.

“If Dale Butler would go to the other side (UBP), we would vote him in and he could be Premier. But I wouldn't vote for Dale because he's PLP.

“I would vote for Mark because he's UBP, but if Dale were also UBP, I would vote for Dale over Mark. It's a shame because Dale is a good candidate.”

Mr. Fox, who is married with two children, said one of his biggest gripes was the potholes in Fairway Drive.

He said: “The road in Fairway Drive is in a deplorable condition. There are potholes everywhere. I have called Works and Engineering and have tried everything, but nothing has happened. “This road is my biggest beef. I have lived here for the last five years and nothing has been done about it.”

Senior Hatty Jones, of Keith Hall Road, Warwick, said she had no complaints about the PLP Government during the last four or five years, although she said she had not seen either candidate at her door yet.

She said: “I will be voting for Dale Butler. He's very nice and he works hard. I voted PLP last time -and I always did. I'm happy with the way they have done things. I'm satisfied.

“I would like them to concentrate on the children and the schools.”

Ms Jones said she was only interested in getting the parties and future Government to “help us all”, and she said although many people had raised concerns about crime and the plight of seniors, she was not worried.

“There is no crime around here - it's very quiet,” she added.

“And I'm a senior and I'm alright. But I don't know about other seniors.”