Maverick Opposition MP Trevor Moniz has come out in support of Premier Jennifer Smith, whom he labelled a progressive compared with firebrands trying to oust her.

He said radicals bent on black empowerment were waiting in the wings should she fall.

He pointed to remarks by Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb about looking out for the interests of “people who look like me” and to Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister's call for more black expatriates as evidence of a racial agenda.

Mr. Moniz, who stands as an independent after being ousted from the United Bermuda Party parliamentary group, said: “I think if they get rid of Jennifer it will be bad for the PLP and bad for Bermuda, but not for the UBP.

He said Ms Smith's government had been deservedly attacked over bigger cars for Ministers and controversy over Bermuda Housing Corporation and Berkeley, but there had been successes including faster ferries and vehicle emissions.

Mr. Moniz said the Premier's popularity was also declining because of her aloof style. But, he said, the Premier had shown a willingness to compromise on big issues.

Mr. Moniz, who has led the call for greater right's for long-term residents, said the Premier had shown leadership.

He said: “The long term residents issue was a perfect example. We proposed they should go further and they went some way to doing that. They have tried under the Premier to get the middle ground. That is wholly admirable.”

He said: “The PLP always accused the UBP of cronyism and rewarding friends and to an extent that was true. Now the PLP is trying to balance the books by doing the same thing.”

“What's wrong for the UBP is wrong for the PLP, you have to do the right thing. But there is this radical group that want vengeance.”

Mr. Moniz said he thought the PLP risked losing the key voters of black middle class who helped them to power for the first time in 1998 but he conceded they might keep them with a consensus candidate such as Education Minister Paula Cox.

He said those who opposed Ms Smith because they deemed her leadership autocratic could get caught up with those who wanted her out because they wanted a more radical approach.

He said: “Take Arthur Hodgson who wants a register of expats. In the PLP there's a very nationalistic element. You have to balance substance over style.

“For those criticising the substance I don't see them putting in Paula Cox or Reggie Burrows.

“I see them putting in a radical like Arthur Hodgson. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. He has radical ideas and dresses them up.”

Ms Webb said she made no apology about pushing for black economic empowerment and “for females for that matter”.

She said: “When Trevor pushes for the Portuguese no one says he has a racial issue but what does that become?

“I don't find it offensive if they are underrepresented in certain areas. It must be the role of Government to see there is balance in society.”