Blame it on the rain.

Anyone expecting political fireworks at last night's United Bermuda Party Devonshire South constituency meeting was treated instead to a rather polite round of politics by two candidates who agreed on most major issues.

About 150 UBP members squeezed into Christ Church hall for a look at primary candidates Michael Dunkley and Joe Gibbons; members on Thursday will elect one of them to succeed former Premier David Saul.

Playing to his Devonshire South roots, dairy chief Michael Dunkley described himself as a straight-talker, a team player and someone in tune with his constituency.

"Devonshire South has always been my home and no matter what the result of the primary, it will continue to be my home,'' he told the standing-room-only crowd.

That local connection, said Mr. Dunkley, had given him a first-hand understanding of the concerns confronting Devonshire South residents; issues such as the environment, traffic, crime, and housing.

Restaurateur Joe Gibbons pointed to over 20 years of UBP service and his world-wide experience as a Bank of Butterfield executive and small businessman.

Citing the threat of a newly energised Progressive Labour Party, Mr. Gibbons warned the UBP has to return to its popular roots and shift away from "top-down'' government.

Devonshire South hopefuls focus on crime and traffic Continued from 1 "The PLP has never been stronger,'' Mr. Gibbons said. "They can taste victory.'' Echoing his opponent, Mr. Gibbons noted Devonshire South was one of the most densely populated constituencies on the Island and agreed environmental quality and traffic problems were factors of daily life.

If elected he would work towards the initiation of an Island-wide traffic management plan.

Both candidates deftly handled questions from the floor, agreeing that income tax was not in Bermuda's future and rejecting casinos as the preferred method of reviving Bermuda's tourism product.

They also agreed that Independence was a dead issue, with Mr. Dunkley pointing out he'd never supported it in the first place. Mr. Gibbons warned that if the PLP should attain power, Independence would quickly work its way back onto the political agenda.

Each agreed crime, drugs, and school discipline were community problems that should be dealt with at the community level.

Years of downsizing of the Police service, said Mr. Dunkley, had hurt Bermuda's war on drugs and despite his best efforts, Commissioner Colin Coxall needed more men.

Mr. Gibbons agreed, and added more legislation was not the answer.

"We need to look at the Attorney General's chambers to see why we're not securing more convictions,'' he declared.

Meanwhile parents should be held accountable for the actions of their children, said Mr. Gibbons, responding to a question about discipline in the schools.

"It was shocking to all to read about what's been happening in the East End,'' concurred Mr. Dunkley. "I don't think there's anything wrong with the system. I believe we -- as a community -- just need to get together and act on these issues.''