A ripple effect from the defection of UBP MP Grace Bell to the UBP earlier this year is still causing controversy in the crucial constituency of St.

George's South.

But -- not surprisingly -- both the UBP team of Rick Spurling and Derrick Carlington and the PLP candidates Arthur Pitcher and Rev. Wilbur (Larry) Lowe claim any aftershocks from Mrs. Bell crossing the floor will benefit them.

Mr. Spurling, who in 1993 retained the seats with Mrs. Bell, now PLP campaign committee chairman in the seat, said: "Constituents are bringing it up.

"I'm not bringing it up but many say they feel betrayed. For someone to walk the floor is, in a sense, a form of betrayal in their view.

"They feel if anybody does that, they should resign their seat and fight a by-election.'' But Mr. Lowe insisted: "Arthur and I see it as a great plus -- we say that because she is of great value in the campaign and provides us with much-needed information.'' And he said: "Grace hasn't received any negative comments -- if people do have negative feelings they haven't voiced them at all.'' Candidates agreed that the Island-wide obsession with drugs and crime was evident in the area.

But -- in keeping with St. David's unique status in Bermuda -- the handback of the area's Base lands is one of the major issues.

Mr. Spurling said: "The major issues are probably the same as elsewhere -- employment opportunities, education, drugs and crime.'' "Also figuring are the strength of the family, sports and recreation, particularly with reference to the youth.'' Mr. Lowe said: "People are very concerned about the base lands -- how the housing is going to be developed and how that community many change the existing one.

"There is a lot of concern about immigration -- especially from the standpoint of the Bermuda worker and whether the Bermuda worker is getting a fair opportunity to compete.'' Mr. Carlington said: "What's coming up on the doorsteps is the youth -- people are very worried about things to do. But the youth centre which is being created, hopefully at Southside, is very popular with the people.'' Mr. Pitcher agreed that "the number one issue is the Base lands -- and St.

David's islanders getting preference for the properties because they were displaced to create them and some remember clearly the day they were moved''.

But he said ways to keep the young off drugs were needed -- with activities to take up spare time a priority.

He added drugs appeared to be more of a problem than other kinds of crime in the area.

Mr. Carlington added: "Crime is not very high on people's agenda -- but if you get drugs there is other crime and we have to address that. But housing in general and housing on Southside in particular is a big issue.'' Mr. Spurling added householders wanting Government to take over private roads, with a knock-on effect of better maintenance and streetlights, was becoming more common.

There are a total of 1,661 registered voters in the constituency, up from 1393 in the 1991 census.

In the census, the constituency had 687 men and 706 women aged over 18, with 902 listing themselves as black and 310 as white. A total of 170 listed themselves as "other.'' In the 1993 poll, Mr. Spurling topped the table with 579 votes (29.6 percent) followed by Mrs. Bell with 558 ballots (28.6 percent).

Mr. Pitcher -- a lone PLP candidate then -- came in just 41 votes behind Mrs.

Bell with 26.5 percent of the vote.

The National Liberal Party's Cheryl Ann Pooley got the wooden spoon with 300 votes, 15.3 percent of the total 1,139 people who cast a ballot.