Today marks an electoral reckoning for Smith’s South, where voters will choose between Mischa Fubler, of the Progressive Labour Party, and Ben Smith, of the One Bermuda Alliance, for the seat vacated by Cole Simons, the former Leader of the Opposition.

Smith’s South, which had 1,311 registered voters as of September 14, has a long history as a stronghold of the United Bermuda Party followed by the OBA, making Constituency 8 an uphill battle for the PLP.

For 37-year-old Mr Fubler to prevail or narrow the voting gap would mark a coup for the ruling party, which has never won the constituency.

Mr Fubler is a political newcomer while Mr Smith, 50, stood down recently as the Opposition Leader in the Senate and was a candidate in the last General Election.

Older voters comprise the majority of the Smith’s South electorate. Voters aged 60 to 69 represent the largest group, at 19.8 per cent, followed by 50 to 59, at 19.1 per cent, and 70 to 79, at 15.4 per cent.

The Royal Gazette spoke with residents this week, beginning in the Zuill’s Park area.

A retirement-age male resident said it was “pretty much an OBA stronghold” but noted that the PLP made “some inroads” in the 2020 General Election.

He admitted that picking a candidate would be a tough decision.

“Both seem like nice, young, intelligent guys. They both made strong cases, watching them being interviewed on TV. That’s what we need.”

He said Mr Fubler could take a hit because “a lot of people right now are hurting and disgruntled with Government”.

In terms of top issues, he said: “I’m not much of a complainer, but because I’m of an age, I find it so unfair that when you turn 65 and think about retiring, how are you going to afford health insurance?

“I rent an apartment that pays a decent rent but it still wouldn’t cover health insurance. There’s a lot of people like me who would like to retire but can’t afford it.

“I’d like to see the Government do something about that, and I don’t care which party. I hear about this every day.”

Describing himself as an as-yet undecided swing voter, he said he supported “whoever I feel is the right person for me — and I like them both”.

Near by in the neighbourhood, a young parent in her thirties said: “We’ve had more visits from the OBA and never had anyone from the PLP. But I don’t talk about which way I’m voting.”

She listed diverse concerns.

“Obviously there’s schooling and violence. As a parent I want the best for my children and I’m looking to their futures.

“Of course there’s keeping Bermuda beautiful and our streets and roads welcoming for tourists. There’s the safety of our roads.”

She added: “My kids are what’s most important.”

A senior women near Harrington Hundreds said both parties had called on her home.

“I intend to vote, and we have always voted PLP,” she said.

“There are issues, but my husband and I normally vote PLP, and our good friend was Jim Woolridge.”

As a neighbourhood concern, she said frequent blackouts during recent storms were “not very good for people preparing to go to church”.

Nationally, she said: “Our cost of living is not good — especially now that Belco bills are going up.”

Another senior a few houses over said: “I haven’t seen anybody from the PLP. The OBA came by and I spoke with them quite a while.”

She said she was “very impressed” with Mr Smith but said of Mr Fubler: “I think he’s a dreamer.”

“It’s time for a change. I’m hopeful. We need some hope right now. We really do.”

In the upscale neighbourhood of Prospero Lane, a self-described “centrist” who has backed both parties said he intended to vote but that the by-election would change little.

“The PLP are either going to have 30 or 31 of 36 seats. It’s hard to see what difference that makes. It will be interesting to see if there’s a significant turnout.”

He said Owen Darrell had secured a good share of votes campaigning in 2020 in a known OBA safe seat.

“Circumstances were very good for the PLP in 2020. There’s almost no outcome that would surprise me at this point.”

He noted the drop in OBA votes that year, adding: “It’s not like I think a dramatic number of folks who voted OBA in 2020 will switch, but they might not bother coming out. Anything’s possible.”

Mr Smith had visited, while a PLP representative had dropped off a flyer on Mr Fubler’s behalf.

He said his vote was decided by economic issues.

“On my mind is getting our hotels back and open and getting our flights to where they were. Part of that is tourists, but it’s also business travellers and residents being able to go overseas.

“It’s not all Government’s doing. The pandemic caused airlines to shed capital and people. But we just have too few flights.”

On Knapton Estates, a senior said: “I’m planning on voting. With Black people, the vote was withheld for so long, it feels exciting to be able to vote.”

She said she had received campaign literature from Mr Fubler and had two visits from the OBA on Mr Smith’s behalf, but that the PLP got her support.

“It is a matter of principle. They were always on the side of fighting oppression, so how could I not be on their side?”

She added: “It’s not my family. My father was a UBP man.”

She acknowledged there was “a lot of hypocrisy” in politics.

“I remember the OBA saying it was ‘friends and family’ with the PLP, but that’s how both parties are, and not just in Bermuda.”

She described herself as fortunate.

“I’m a strong person; I do not have issues with anything. Then again, when I look at my position I would call it privileged. I have GEHI insurance that pays for my high-price medication.

“But I think of those who don’t have insurance. My daughter isn’t working right now and has no insurance.”

She said she had “no issues with education”.

“It’s not the school. It’s the parents behind the children.”

“People are talking about high prices. That’s an issue, but I don’t know if Government can do a whole load.”

She said she had objected to the SDO for the Fairmont Southampton Hotel but, again, believed the Government had little power.

“I don’t think the Government has any choice. That’s the reality of the situation. They need it and they need the jobs. I wonder if part of the hysteria over it is genuine.”

A long-term resident on Lolly’s Well Road said she would love to vote — but couldn’t.

“My children are born and raised here. It’s all they know. It’s hard when you have invested so much in a country but you can’t have any impact in terms of voting.

“It would be really nice to have a voice.”

Near by, a retiree lamented the state of roads and the “heartbreaking” condition of national institutions such as the Botanical Gardens, but said the island lacked funds to maintain itself.

“Tourists must be wondering what the hell is going on. I know the situation with money, but we’re not budgeting right.”

He said Mr Fubler had not visited but he had spoken with Mr Smith.

“I know there will be no change. The OBA have no clout. They’re so desperate sometimes they contradict themselves, but they will never, ever get back in during my lifetime unless they change.”

He noted Mr Smith’s background as a swimming coach.

“A nice guy,” he added. “Unfortunately, I don’t see any shining lights in either of them.”

As with many voters, he said the cost of living, including electricity, was concerning.

“But when you look at it, we’re still in the best place in the world,” he said.

“It just needs tweaking. We have to take care of the basics. But we’re still a good destination.”