Southampton East has voted solidly for the Progressive Labour Party since the 1960s and United Bermuda Party candidate Calvin Simons faces a daunting task trying to unseat veteran incumbent Stanley Lowe.

The new single seat constituency runs from Scenic Heights Pass and Horseshoe Road on the west to Sun Valley Road and the Warwick border on the east.

The 1,099 voters are thought to be about 90 percent black and the PLP has won easily in the past.

At the last election under dual seat constituencies, Speaker Stanley Lowe and his PLP running mate Reginald Burrows won 67.8 percent of the vote against 16.1 percent for Mr. Simons and Anthony Santucci for the UBP.

National issues such as crime, drugs, dealing with seniors and education are also hot topics on the doorsteps of Southampton East, according to the UBP's Mr. Simons.

But drug dealing around the Southampton Rangers club and finding facilities and activities for the youths who congregate in that area is also a big local issue.

Voter Daw Broadbelt said: "I stay by Rangers and they need to develop the open space there. Something needs to be done about the youth because they are hanging along the street and there is nothing for them to do.

"The clubs are not active enough and that needs to be addressed."

Mrs Broadbelt said she normally votes for the individual rather than the party and she has not yet decided who to support on July 24.

She said although there is some dissatisfaction with the PLP, she is not sure how many will go ahead with threats to vote against them.

"It s hard to tell because people talk a lot of stuff but don't end up doing it. A lot of people are not happy with what's going on, but they might do something else. It is hard to tell what people will do," she said.

Mr. Simons said the UBP's plans for strengthened community policing would help deal with crime associated with Southampton Rangers.

"Community policing and neighbourhood watch schemes could deal with these problems," he said.

"The UBP is building a platform based on the ideals of change course for the next generation to come," he said.

"We believe in a more inclusive government for all Bermudians to play a part."

Mr. Lowe did not respond to requests for information and interview for this article.