New Deputy Opposition Leader Ms Jennifer Smith shrugs off suggestions that she is the Progressive Labour Party's leader in waiting.

When the time comes to choose a successor to PLP Leader Mr. Frederick Wade, the St. George's North MP said she would be considered among "many others''.

"In our party (being Deputy Leader) doesn't necessarily mean that you become leader,'' she told The Royal Gazette .

The 46-year-old writer who made her mark as the Opposition's Education critic is known for patience, not pushiness.

In St. George's North, she ran and lost five times before she grabbed a seat from the United Bermuda Party in 1989. Last year, she won again and brought running mate Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams to the House of Assembly with her.

When the House of Assembly next meets on November 16, Ms Smith will sit at the right hand of Mr. Wade in a reorganised Opposition seating plan.

"She is a winner,'' Mr. Wade said of his new deputy. "She's very bright, experienced, and she's demonstrated her ability to campaign and to win.'' But he said the PLP has "many potential leaders'' and he would not "speculate'' on his successor.

Yesterday, Ms Smith described her selection as deputy leader as a boost for both the party's women and its younger MPs.

In a close ballot, she beat former Deputy Leader Mr. Walter Roberts, who first entered the House in 1963, five years before Mr. Wade.

Providing greater balance in the leadership "I would imagine was the thinking behind...those who nominated me,'' she said.

"What I did get from many of the members was that they felt this was a move, if you will, for women,'' who were "looking forward to having that kind of influence in the party''.

Despite an aborted bid for the leadership from PLP Sen. Terry Lister, Ms Smith felt last week's party conference "drew the party closer together and it confirmed for all of us what our main goal is -- winning the Government''.

Asked if Mr. Roberts had paid the price for supporting Sen. Lister, Mr. Wade said: "You'll have to ask Mr. Roberts about that.'' Mr. Roberts did not return a telephone call from The Royal Gazette .

The daughter of Mrs. Lillian Smith and the late Mr. Eugene Smith, Ms Smith attended St. George's Primary School, Berkeley Institute, and Skinner Secretarial School before leaving the Island to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

She returned to the Island in 1970 and while working as a freelance artist formed the Liberation Dancers, "which was an outgrowth of the Black Berets''.

"I have always believed that culture is a very important part of any country's growth and make-up,'' she said. "At that time, I used dance to express my feelings about the political situation here.'' The dance group was together until 1976, four years after she made her first bid for elected office as a 24-year-old in St. George's North.

She moved from art to journalism, starting at The Bermuda Recorder as a reporter and leaving as editor shortly before it closed. She then worked for Fame magazine and for four years at ZBM before joining the advertising agency Scott Crafts Ltd.

She left there last year and worked a short stint at the Bermuda Times. She said she is currently doing volunteer work.

"I have recognised it's very difficult to have a full-time job as well as politics,'' she said.

The former Senator said she will remain Shadow Education Minister for the immediate future and is anxiously awaiting the tabling of a new Education Bill promised for this session.

She expected the reports of the Commission on Competitiveness and Task Force on Employment to dominate debate, along with the Bases. Race would also figure, with three bills expected related to Government's White Paper on Racism.

NEW DEPUTY LEADER -- Ms Jennifer Smith MP will be seated at the right hand of Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade when the House of Assembly next meets.