One of the Progressive Labour Party's safest seats, Hamilton East was won at a canter by Derrick Burgess at each of the last two General Elections.

In December 2007, Mr. Burgess beat David Sullivan of the United Bermuda Party by 737 votes to 181. Shortly afterwards Mr. Burgess was appointed Works and Engineering Minister; a switch from the Labour and Immigration portfolio he previously held.

Four years earlier, Mr. Burgess beat Keetha Lowe of the UBP, by 636 votes to 236.

Described by residents as a quiet area, Constituency Five has escaped much of the violence that has troubled Bermuda in recent months — although there was drama in Cottage Hill Road last March when two women were held hostage in a home by a gunman.