It's going to be a close one - if the opinions of a few randomly selected voters are anything to go by. While no one felt sure which of the two main political parties will head up the next Bermuda government, practically every single one of them expressed some disappointment in the performance of the first PLP government. There were no opinions on the Opposition party

Only hours after yesterday's election announcement, The Royal Gazette took to the streets of Hamilton to ask Bermudians of all ages and races who they thought would win and why.

When asked which party will be victorious, a mixed response came from the nine Bermudians who were questioned. The ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) was barely edged out by the United Bermuda Party (UBP) who received five positive responses to the PLP's three, along with a single voter who said he didn't "have a clue" who would win.

But whether predicting a PLP or a UBP win, one thing was close to unanimous among respondents - disappointment with the PLP's performance in their first term as government.

"I don't think the PLP will get in again" said one young Corporation of Hamilton employee, who said he voted for the first time in 1998 when he contributed the PLP's historic victory.

"I'm not against them but I don't think I'll vote again. In the time since the past government to the present, there have been no changes. I'm not the only one who feels like that. A lot of young people who voted for the first time last time feel the same way."

Shaki Hughes is another young Bermudian who predicted a UBP victory but remained optimistic if the PLP did win for a second term. "The PLP haven't taken a strong position and have done only a few things that they were supposed to do for the people. Hopefully the PLP wins and will do a better job next time."

Though there was much talk of the PLP, not a single respondent stated any opinion of the UBP, either positive or negative.

Almost all of the respondents agreed on one vital aspect of the upcoming election - it's going to be a close one.

"I think it'll be the PLP by the skin of their teeth. It's going to be a wake up call to the PLP that they can't continue to do what they've been doing for the past four years," said Latanya G. Richardson.

A PLP victory will happen, the young voter continued, "because a lot of people think you can't undo 30 years in only four years. People think the PLP know that they can't carry on as they have been."

Bruce Mayor, a local retailer also predicted a very tight election: `The PLP, but I think it'll be closer than last time. I don't think enough of the changes have taken place that they promised. My business in retail, and I've heard people's comments who I know are PLP supporters. They're not too happy. "

Only one of the respondents mentioned the choice of July 24th for the election. Jeffery Brewer, who said he wasn't sure which party would be victorious, said the "timing will be interesting. Half of Bermuda will be away."

Only one out of the nine respondents expressed a strong political conviction when asked who would win this year's election.

Llweylen Penniston, a lawyer and a former UBP senator, responded to The Royal Gazette's question saying:"I have no doubt that it will be the party that enjoys my unswerving support - namely the Progressive Labour Party."