The more things change, the more they remain the same - at least in Paget East.

United Bermuda Party Leader Grant Gibbons breezed to victory last night, despite the boundary changes which created the new single seat Constituency 22 .

The constituency, which has been home turf for three UBP leaders, historically has given the party winning margins of 80 percent or more. Last night was no different.

Dr. Gibbons topped the poll with 762 votes, followed by the Progressive Labour Party's Delaey Robinson with 183. There was one spoiled ballot. The voter turnout was 87 percent.

Mr. Robinson appeared to have understood the hopelessness of his candidacy.

He did not show up at the polling station at the Evangelical Church Hall on Mission Road until after 6.30 p.m., opting to forego the candidates' ritual of greeting voters just before they cast their ballets. He said his energies were better spent in other constituencies where the prospects of PLP victories were more realistic.

The UBP, on the other hand, was out in force with a posse of greeters, including Dr. Gibbons' wife Kathryn, to press the flesh and say hello.

When the inevitable tally was finally counted well after 10 p.m., Mr. Robinson emerged from the church hall saying he was happy it was over.

He indicated he had been trying to ease himself out of electoral politics since his election in St. George's North in 1998, partly because of the pressures of a family-owned business and young children.

Results

Dr. Grant Gibbons (UBP) 762

Deleay Robinson (PLP) 183