Deputy Premier Paula Cox is no longer the obvious choice to succeed Premier Ewart Brown, according to International Business sources.

Backbencher Terry Lister is now seen as a credible alternative by the industry, which is said to have lost faith in Ms Cox following her unpopular Budget and "cog in the wheel" remark.

However, the Finance Minister is still deemed a long way ahead of Mr. Lister in Progressive Labour Party circles, with the other serious challenger, former Culture Minister Dale Butler, also considered a long-shot.

Ms Cox and Mr. Lister have both refused to confirm their interest in the top job, but Mr. Butler said yesterday: "I am the PLP's best candidate and Bermuda's hope for the future."

Several other names have been mentioned as potential contenders, but one backbencher yesterday said anyone other than Ms Cox, Mr. Lister and Mr. Butler would be wasting their time making a challenge.

International business leaders have complained about tax rises Ms Cox announced last month, while her leadership credentials came under fire after she described herself as a "cog in the wheel", unable to refuse financial requests from other Ministers.

Sources say the industry has confidence in Mr. Lister from a fiscal point of view because of his background in accounting, while he is thought to be tough enough to make hard decisions on Government cost-cutting. But they are said to be holding back on further judgement until they know his ideological position.

Conversely Mr. Butler has made his stance clear on many key issues — but business sources say it's unknown whether he would have strong fiscal control, or the leadership qualities to run the Country.

A host of names mentioned to this newspaper this week include Works Minister Derrick Burgess, Education Minister Elvin James, backbencher Randy Horton and even rookie Minister Zane DeSilva. None of those four replied to requests for comment over the past two days.

But multiple sources within the party yesterday said Ms Cox remains comfortable favourite.

One senior PLP member said: "Paula will be able to command the support of a very significant number of delegates.

"She remains highly respected in many corners of the community and is one of the brightest and most capable of all the MPs.

"That was a difficult Budget but she managed to accomplish a number of things in spite of the economic difficulties."

Earlier this month, one backbencher said Ms Cox was "complicit" for signing off so many of Dr. Brown's costly Tourism and Transport projects while the rest of the Island has had to tighten its belt.

However, the source said: "What we are seeing taking place now is the alignment of certain MPs in terms of who they are likely to support. Would-be leaders are getting their people out there in support.

"But keep in mind the 23 MPs cast their vote alongside 80 delegates. The PLP is a party governed by the representatives of all the branches.

"Paula will be subjected to a greater deal of criticism in the coming months because she is seen as the favourite. That's the way it normally works."

Both Mr. Lister and Mr. Butler are said to have gained credibility with many in the party — but also irritated some — by speaking out against Dr. Brown over the Uighurs affair last summer.

Mr. Lister has strong support in the West End, though there are question marks over how far that spreads across the Island.

Mr. Butler is arguably Bermuda's most popular MP, but by his own admission much of that backing comes from outside his own party; he has previously conceded core members don't like him because of his liberal views.

The source said: "Terry certainly brings some skills because he's a bright individual; he doesn't have a demonstrated track record of working with people, he's not an inclusive decision-maker."

Regarding Mr. Lister's scathing speech calling for Dr. Brown to resign last summer, the party member said: "He would get kudos for being forthright and saying what he believes. But I think many people in the party, they look at how you embrace the party or support the party.

"I think the party hard-core supporters don't like to see someone who appears to speak out for an advantage for themselves, but undermine the party."

On Mr. Butler, the source said: "Dale will get a lot of public support, his people have been calling talk shows. He's probably the most energetic of all the MPs, he commits with a full throttle.

"But the reality is a leader has to be selected by the delegates. By taking such a public campaign, if it's not working among the delegates, he won't win."

And another party member said: "Dale's a nice guy, but I seriously doubt if he has enough support among the branches."

Dr. Brown has repeatedly stated he will step down when his four-year term as Premier ends in October.