Dame Jennifer Smith edged out the United Bermuda Party's Kenneth Bascome by 25 votes to retain her St. George's North seat for the Progressive Labour Party – and increasing her majority.

The former Premier polled 474 votes, compared to Mr. Bascome's 449. Both candidates increased their support compared to the 2003 election, when Dame Jennifer won by just eight votes.

Dame Jennifer, who has represented St. George's in Parliament since 1989, said: "The people have stayed with me and I've stayed with them."

She added the fact she had more time to canvass than in recent elections had served her well.

"I've hardly canvassed here since 1993, because I've focused on the national," Dame Jennifer said. "What was apparent today was that many of the voters asked that I continued to canvass. It's something that I always used to do, only not when I was Premier."

Dame Jennifer said she would like to continue as Deputy Speaker of the House, if not Speaker.

"I will continue what I've already started," she added. "We will get the police station finished. We will improve the paving of the roads, which I was working on before. Some of these things will need co-ordination between the Corporation (of St. George) and Government."

Mr. Bascome, Deputy Mayor of St. George, was clearly devastated after a second successive narrow defeat. He said: "The public feel they have chosen the best candidate to carry the banner for St. George's."

Asked what his political future held, he said: "Time will tell."

There were no spoiled ballots.

RESULT

Kenneth Bascome (UBP) 449

Jennifer Smith (PLP) 474