Premiership contenders Terry Lister and Dale Butler may have less support from MPs than rival Paula Cox — but both were adamant yesterday that it won't stop them becoming the next leader of the PLP.

Mr. Lister, who launched his campaign on July 26, told The Royal Gazette: "It's early days. My concentration at this point is securing a mandate from the people of Bermuda.

"I'm using a variety of means to talk to them. We are putting out a message and we are getting people to understand what a Terry Lister administration for the country would mean. That's very, very important."

He said the 150 or so delegates who will decide the party's next leader at a conference in October have yet to be chosen and that MPs make up a small proportion of that group of people, getting just one vote each.

"Once we get into the middle of September, at that point some of the delegates become known," he said. "At that point, I'll start to talk more to the delegates."

Twelve Government MPs have backed Deputy Premier Paula Cox for the top job; three are behind Mr. Lister and none have supported Mr. Butler so far.

But the latter said yesterday: "I'm not bothered by those figures. The Gazette can prepare its headline now: 'Two contenders take a licking, [Butler] wins by an overall majority, badly beats two people.' The delegates can make their own decision."

Referring to the popular children's storybook character "The Little Engine that Could" — whose optimistic motto was "I Think I Can" — Mr. Butler said: "I'm the little train that could. Yes, I can; I know I can."

The Warwick North East MP spent yesterday handing out 200 flyers to church and community leaders advising them of the official launch of his leadership bid. An e-mail was also sent to potential supporters.

On August 23, Mr. Butler will be at La Trattoria restaurant in Hamilton from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. when he is asking people to come and donate cans of food for the homeless.

Those attending will have the chance to win brunch for two with Mr. Butler at Fourways Inn and a copy of his "Music on the Rock" book if they are able to guess where the launch will take place the following day.

On August 24, the food will be given to the Salvation Army's homeless shelter. "Some people treat this as a job," said Mr. Butler, adding that his passion for the homeless had continued since he resigned as Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister.

Mr. Lister said he was also unfazed by the amount of support received by the Finance Minister, who launched her campaign on Thursday in front of a large number of supporting Cabinet members and PLP MPs.

"It makes a wonderful picture, something you can frame on your wall," said Mr. Lister. "I would suggest that each member in the picture gets a framed copy because come October it will be how the delegates vote. I'll be working very closely with the delegates."

He said it was true that Ms Cox had the advantage of being a Cabinet Minister with the ability to hold regular press conferences about her Ministry's activities.

But he added that Bermudians had long memories and remembered all that he had contributed to the country. "My sporting heroes are guys who played great in Cup Match 20,30, 40 years ago," he said.

The Sandys South MP cited his achievements as an MP, Cabinet Minister, partner in an accounting firm and chairman of the Berkeley Educational Society and the Berkeley Board of Governors.

"These are long, long involvements that don't just allow you to disappear, even if you wanted to," he said. "People remember the things that you have done. I'm not concerned that I can't call a press conference and announce that my Ministry has done this, that or the other.

"People who follow politics know what I can do. The general public don't always follow politics — it's my responsibility now to talk to the general public."