Premier Ewart Brown's plans for municipality reform are probably doomed because his Deputy Paula Cox opposes them, according to Progressive Labour Party insiders.

Cabinet Ministers are said to have taken their lead from Ms Cox in speaking out against Dr. Brown's controversial proposal to introduce gambling to Bermuda on Friday night. And PLP sources believe Ms Cox will also likely oppose the Premier's attempts to shake up the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's in his final few months before stepping down. They predict MPs on the front and backbenches will then fall into line with Ms Cox again — heaping more frustration on Dr. Brown, who has long been dubbed a lame duck by party colleagues and the Opposition.

Finance Minister Ms Cox — the hot favourite to replace Dr. Brown as leader in October — is known for saving her comments until the end of political debates.

But on Friday she was one of the first to speak, telling the House of Assembly she does not believe gaming is right for Bermuda — prompting some to suggest the Premier-in-waiting was eager to distance herself from Dr. Brown.

Energy Minister Michael Scott, Health Minister Walter Roban and Education Minister Elvin James — all of whom supported the cruise ship gaming bill last July — followed Ms Cox by declaring their opposition for gambling.

Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney questioned the timing of Dr. Brown's move, while Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield described herself as "in the valley" and Works Minister Derrick Burgess did not speak in the debate. In contrast, when the Premier brought his cruise ship bill a year ago, he won support from all Cabinet Ministers in the House before the bill was turfed out by backbenchers and the Opposition.

One backbencher told The Royal Gazette: "Because Paula spoke early, she put the heat on the rest of Cabinet. They had to think, 'Do I want to go with him on the way out, or do I want to kiss up to the incoming queen?'"

Another said: "The backbench deliberately restrained from debating until we flushed Paula out. She rarely goes early but it is obvious she was advised to start to distance herself from the Premier."

Introducing gaming and reform of the Corporations are said to be Dr. Brown's two burning ambitions in the final throes of his term. But backbenchers believe Ms Cox will also speak against municipality reform because she does not want to be "handcuffed" by any controversial legislation early in her term as leader. One MP said party colleagues would again toe Ms Cox's line, adding: "Some people would say in light of this Dr. Brown should pack up and go now, to save himself further embarrassment. "Anything controversial, he might as well just forget it. The fact that so many people in Cabinet came out against him show he really is a lame duck."

Another said: "Paula will also speak against the proposed takeover bid in an effort to further distance herself, but the Country will be asking why she bothered to approve the funding for the study."

With Dr. Brown currently in Russia, a Government spokesman responded last night: "The Premier will continue to use the customary mechanism of bringing bills to the House. Any bill that does not secure the support of the caucus will not be brought to the House.

"There has been no change in the Premier's plan to continue to work for the people of Bermuda until the end of October 2010."

Mr. Blakeney was the only Minister to reply to requests for a comment (see separate story).

Only three PLP MPs offered clear support for gaming on Friday night: Minister without Portfolio Zane DeSilva, described by many as Dr. Brown's biggest supporter in the House; veteran Walter Lister, who is said to be standing down at the next election and unconcerned about losing votes; and new MP Michael Weeks. Those going against gambling were Whip Lovitta Foggo and backbenchers Randy Horton, Dennis Lister, Alex Scott and Dame Jennifer Smith, while Ashfield DeVent called for referendum. Former United Bermuda Party leader Wayne Furbert showed he maintained his anti-gambling stance by speaking prior to Ms Cox, claiming hundreds of lives would be badly affected if Bermuda introduced gaming.

Mr. Burgess and backbencher Wayne Perinchief were both present in the debate, but neither spoke. Colleagues say Mr. Burgess may have been torn between representing his 'Bible Belt' Hamilton Parish constituents and maintaining his loyalty to the Premier. Conversely, Mr. Perinchief has previously spoken in support of gaming but may not have wanted to offer any cheer on a grim day for Dr. Brown.

Former Energy Minister Terry Lister, who voted in favour of the cruise ship gaming bill, was off the Island attending his daughter's graduation, but told this newspaper he does not support gaming. Support also came from Independent MP Darius Tucker, who many expect to join the PLP later this year, and Bermuda Democratic Alliance MPs Mark Pettingill and Shawn Crockwell, although their colleague Donte Hunt went against the party line by opposing.