Lawyer and United Bermuda Party candidate Mark Pettingill is looking forward to July 24, confident that the people of Warwick North East want a change in Government.

Although this is his debut in a General Election, he believes the battle with Dale Butler will be tough, but that the UBP will marginally come out at the top of the polls.

The 39-year-old defence lawyer, who is married with two children and lives in Smith's, is a former UBP Senator and has special interest in education, youth and sport and the criminal justice system.

And he said although much of his time now is spent as a partner with Wakefield and Quinn law firm, Mr. Pettingill said he would be carefully monitoring his situation if he was voted in as a Member of Parliament, particularly if the UBP also won the election, but promised the people that he would give 100 percent to his constituency.

He said: “I am confident that people want a change. People don't see any difference with regard to their personal lives or what has been done for them in the past four years.”

Mr. Pettingill said people had made a big issue about the fact that he was standing opposite Mr. Butler at the polls, but he did not believe it needed to be such an issue.

“I don't think the Dale Butler thing is a big issue. People see Dale Butler as a community activist, which with respect is different to a legislator.

“A large part of being a Member of Parliament should be about the creation of laws and policies to help our country run as best as possible. In order to do that in this country, you have to be part of a viable team that you support and which embraces you.

“Now that does not mean you can't speak your mind, but if you are ostracised for it, as I believe Dale Butler has been, you are not going to be able to accomplish things for your constituency. People realise that and are saying so.”