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PLP increased it’s margin in three districts

Despite losing the general election, the Progressive Labour Party does appear to have scored some minor victories.In three constituencies won by the PLP, the margin of victory increased even as voter turnout declined since the last election.The MP with the largest increase was Lovitta Foggo of St David’s whose performance in the east end district has effectively turned it into a PLP stronghold.In the 2007 election, Ms Foggo won against the United Bermuda Party’s Suzann Holshouser by a 90 vote margin and 54 percent of the vote.Turnout for that poll was 75 percent of 1,404 registered voters. Suzann Holhouser had held the seat since 2003 when she won it with 51 percent of the vote.Monday’s poll had a much lower turnout — 66.30 percent — but Ms Foggo managed to increase her share of the vote to 57 percent.Boundary changes saw 197 voters go to neighbouring district St George’s South.Asked to comment on the fact that she increased her share of the vote even with a lower turnout, bucking the overall trend, Ms Foggo said that her performance was due to the fact that the constituents were satisfied with the work done on their behalf.“I wouldn’t say that it's a stronghold. What I would say is the support for me as a representative speaks directly to the fact that the voters felt that I did do my work on their behalf,” she said.“If people are happy with your work they will come out and support you.”But she agreed that purely from analysing the numbers, St Davids was now a safer seat for the PLP.“I canvassed my constituents three times this year alone and I can call most of my candidates by name,” Ms Foggo continued.“I made it a point to know who my constituents are.”The only other PLP candidate who increased their share of the vote on Monday was Zane DeSilva.Mr DeSilva retained the Southampton East seat for the party with 70 percent of the vote on a 65 percent turnout — up from 68 percent when former House Speaker Stanley Lowe won it in 2007 with a 72 percent turnout.Walter Roban in Pembroke East also increased his share but by less than one percent over 2007.