Reputations could be won or lost during the battle for Warwick West but one thing is for sure, the battle will have been fought on the doorsteps and street corners.

The constituency is something of a mixed bag, with something for everyone.

From working people to business folk, and shops to beaches and hotels -- the area is akin to a bag of dolly mixtures.

Add to that a traditionally conservative voting base and up to 40 percent new voters since the last election, then Warwick West becomes a window of opportunity for potential MPs.

Current MPs, UBP veteran Quinton Edness and PLP stalwart Dr. Ewart Brown are joined by running mates Sen. Yvette Swan and political newcomer El James.

Mr. Edness and Sen. Swan are well known in the area and with months of canvassing already under their belts and will be on the voters' wavelength with regard to the issues concerning residents.

With Edness returning to the backbenches after a Cabinet reshuffle he still remains a heavyweight presence with much experience in the area.

"Warwick West is made up of some very dedicated Bermudians,'' he said. "And it is an area that has just about everything in it. It is very family-orientated.

"Yvette Swan and I have been canvassing for five months, and I must say that we have had extremely good receptions -- people have treated us very well.'' Sen. Swan has lived in the constituency for over 25 years and can lay claim to having an astute knowledge of the many issues concerning the electorate.

In particular, she knows crime, education, women's issues and provision for the elderly are key issues -- and ones she has an intimate knowledge of.

"I will do what I can to reduce the crime and drugs incidents, we do know we have pockets of problems in Warwick West. The UBP message on drugs is that we will not tolerate dealers near our schools or recreation areas.'' But Dr.

Brown and El James will be hot on their heels, and with the PLP backbencher's US citizenship issue now settled, they can rest easy that no flak will be flying on that score.

Dr. Brown said he is confident it will be a vigorous but honourable campaign.

He is also optimistic that Warwick West senses a groundswell of change afoot.

"I am confident that the people want to change, the difference between 1993 and 1998 is the difference between night and day. This time around people are pretty vocal about their desire for change,'' he said.

A theme amongst the electorate was the need to put Bermudians first, he said.

"People are looking forward to their children's future and want to know what kind of Bermuda they are going to see? "Will Bermudians be first in Bermuda? That is what I was asked. Under the PLP it will be.'' El James, president of the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, is well known in sporting circles and will draw heavily on his "grassroots experience'' in the coming weeks.

"There are concerns about youth, education and of course immigration,'' he said. "People would also like to see a community centre.'' During his time on the beat with Dr. Brown, he said he has drawn upon the sitting MPs experience.

"I feel good about it and things are very positive,'' he said.

Crime and policing is certain to feature heavily in the campaigning, with residents concerned over security and drug-related offences.

A small parish station has been established but some people want to see a 24 hour presence -- not only for quick reactions to crime but also as a high-profile deterrent.

Education and provision for the elderly will also feature in what is one of the largest constituencies with around 2,500 voters.

In 1993, Dr. Ewart Brown eased out UBP veteran Sir John Sharpe by 14 votes with Quinton Edness topping the poll by just two votes. National Liberal Party candidate Dessaline Waldron took 52 votes, while independent David Burch had 23.

The NLP are unlikely to feature this time and with a high turnout expected from a politically astute and varied socio-economnic electorate, things are sure to get interesting in Warwick West.