"betraying their constituents'' over a controversial plan to build 20 houses for low income families on Texas Road.

United Bermuda Party politicians Kim Swan and Derrick Carlington alleged that St. George's South MPs Arthur Pitcher and Rev. Wilbur Lowe kept constituents in the dark over the development and failed to stand up for them when they were unfairly accused of being selfish in opposing the plan.

But Rev. Lowe hit back by calling Senator Swan a "political vulture'' and said he would be listening carefully to the needs of residents.

He said he would not be part of a Government that tried to "push something down the people's throats''.

Residents saw detailed plans for the housing development for the first time at a heated public meeting two weeks ago.

By then planning approval in principle for the Bermuda Housing Corporation development had already been granted.

Sen. Swan, who ran in St. George's North and Mr. Carlington, who competed for the St. George's South seat at the last election said the problem was a lack of representation by the local Progressive Labour Party MPs.

But Rev. Lowe replied: "Arthur and I represent the people and we are getting information to them as soon as we get it.

"I told Kim Swan I thought he played a low blow when he claimed we were not giving information to the people.

"He is playing a good political game, and I have noticed at the last couple of meetings that he has reduced himself to a political vulture who waits around for the spoils of the meeting and jumps in when he can and gets attention by saying what they want to hear.

MPs clash in housing row "We are working closely with Bermuda Land Development Corporation to get the answers to the questions that have arisen and we are listening very closely to their concerns.'' Sen. Swan and Mr. Carlington said the residents were angry that one-fifth of the BHC's planned 100 low cost houses were being placed in St. David's.

They were also concerned about the impact of these low income families on their communities.

Sen Swan said: "How, in good conscience, could Members of Parliament forsake their constituents and not represent their concerns? "They kept the residents in the dark and failed to defend St. David's Islanders' integrity.

"Will Government take into consideration that outcry of the St. David's Islanders and spread the development around? "It is most unfortunate that the St. David's people are being characterised incorrectly as political pundits put different arguments forward.

"The real problem was, and remains, on the hands of the area's elected Members of Parliament who have betrayed their constituents.

"We had the Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson talking today about sustainable development, but that requires a buy-in from the public.

"You can't just sell the message without also exercising the basic principles of not springing it on people at the last minute.'' Mr. Carrington added: "St. David's Islanders are a unique and proud but caring people, and it saddens me to hear and read derogatory comments about our people.

"We are often misunderstood and particularly on this issue, we were let down by elected Members of Parliament.'' Mr. Pitcher, who won the contract to build the houses, said last night: "I don't have time to talk about what Kim Swan is saying and don't want to comment on it.

"I am working on fulfilling the platform of the PLP in providing houses for the people.''