Paula Cox may have captured the leadership of the Progressive Labour Party but she won scant support from taxi drivers on the Church Street rank.

While none of the cabbies would give their names, all were outspoken when asked about Thursday's leadership contest.

A 62-year-old driver from Devonshire, who's been in the business for more than 30 years, said: "To be honest I think (whoever wins) it's going to be more of the same. Hopefully it will be somebody that's accountable.

"My preference is Mr. (Dale) Butler. To me he's more accountable, more open to the public and more accessible.

"Out of the three, to be quite honest, I don't trust Ms Cox. She was my choice but anyone who's a Finance Minister that can allow the Country to get into the kind of debt it's in? She's the one that holds the strings to the purse."

A second driver, aged 59, who has been in the taxi industry for 23 years, said of outgoing Premier Ewart Brown: "He's not my favourite person.

"Whoever replaces him, they should try to get more cruise ships on Front Street.

"That would be a great help for the taxi drivers. And give us some of the business at Dockyard because the Government buses take it all.

"I think Terry Lister would be a better choice. I think Ms Cox hasn't been really fair with the expenditure.

"She's not been up front with the money being spent. Something should have been done from her perspective instead of the Auditor General coming out with a lot of overspends.

"I think Dale Butler is very sincere about what he's doing but I don't think he's really ready for the job right now. That's why I choose Lister."

A 50-year-old driver from Southampton, who has been in the taxi industry for 29 years, said of Dr. Brown: "Good riddance. May he leave the Island. I hope they take him straight to the airport."

Dr. Brown fell out of favour with many drivers for imposing an unpopular and mandatory GPS system on the industry.

Although he declined to detail specific concerns, the 50-year-old said: "Let the private sector take care of itself. We don't need no interference. We know what's best."

Asked who he backed for Premier, he replied: "I'm no fan of the PLP after their intervention. I don't care at this point."

A fourth driver, aged 62 from Pembroke, who has been in the industry since the 1970s said: "I'm a Brown supporter. [I liked] the takeover of the Corporation and the tourism industry is going to get better.

"Everybody's blaming him but it's an economic crisis. Once we get a hotel or two built it's going to improve in terms of the taxi industry.'

However, the driver added: "Although I'm a fan of his, he's not been a supporter of the taxi drivers. I don't mind GPS though, it hasn't made it any worse."

Asked who he backed, he replied: "I'm almost sure it's going to be Ms Cox."

A fifth driver, aged 62 from Hamilton Parish, who has been in the business for 35 years said: "I feel that the PLP shouldn't be in power. I think the UBP should get back in power.

"I'm not pleased with the PLP, period. They've spent a whole lot of money and Paula Cox, she allowed it when she could have put the brakes on."

President of the Taxi Association Gilbert Trott declined to talk about the contest.

"Our relationship with Dr. Brown was very cordial," he said, refusing to comment on which candidate his association backed or what action it desires.

"We've already spoken with two of the candidates and we've already expressed our concerns and ideas going forward with them."