Tourism Minister David Allen should throw his hat into the ring for the Premiership, a highly-placed Progressive Labour Party supporter said yesterday.

And the insider added Mr. Allen -- who is white -- was best placed to repair divisions in the community created under Premier Jennifer Smith's rule.

The insider said: "A unifying force is what's needed for the country because there is deep division.

"When the PLP first took over there was a groundswell of support across the community -- however, that has not been maintained, largely because of Jennifer Smith's leadership style.

"She does not have a unifying presence in the community -- Mr. Allen has a way with all cultures and has good international contacts through the Tourism Ministry.

"He is most suited to take over because he has more than demonstrated his gracious acceptance of the black community.

"And it would be a given that he would be able to draw persons from the white community and other diverse communities.'' The insider admitted: "Mr. Allen has come in for criticism because of his travelling, but he does have that international experience and that will be very important as our economy is very tenuous at the moment.

"He has shown he is able to make the contacts abroad and I think people trust him.

"And, as far as the PLP are concerned, it would show a move on their part to elect a leader not on the basis of their skin colour, but their ability.'' Mr. Allen did not return a call from The Royal Gazette last night.

The insider conceded that Mr. Allen -- due to his loyalty to Ms Smith -- would be unlikely to push himself forward.

But the source insisted: "These are some of the things the delegates are going to have to consider.'' The insider spoke out after Ms Smith herself admitted she would be likely to face a leadership challenge at the party conference in November.

Party sources said then that the vast majority of Parliamentarians -- MPs and Senators -- would vote for other candidates, although PLP branch delegates wield a lot of power in leadership votes.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson was said to be leading the pack of likely candidates to topple Ms Smith.

Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister, Transport Minister Ewart Brown and Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb were also touted as possibles -- or as powerbrokers for a more-favoured candidate like Mr. Hodgson.

But the latest source said both Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Lister "carried too much baggage.'' The source added: "We're facing some tough economic times and we need to strengthen our ties overseas.

"I think Mr. Allen is the person to lead right now, but whether he would be person to lead the party into the next election, I don't know.

"But the PLP Government's best hope at the moment lies in having a leader who would unify the community and be in a position to strengthen our overseas ties during these difficult times -- and that would be David Allen.'' Ms Smith won the leadership in 1996, with more than 60 percent of the votes cast, while the now-Works and Engineering Minister took less than 40 percent.

Deputy leader Eugene Cox, now Finance Minister, beat off Dr. Brown for the number two spot in the party, taking more than 70 percent of the vote, double his opponent's share.

When Ms Smith was elected, following the death of Frederick Wade, the voter breakdown was not made public -- but it is understood she was carried to power by delegates' votes, not the Parliamentary group.

The Bermuda Constitution calls for the Governor of the day to ask the MP with the support of the majority of the House of Assembly to form the Government -- in practice whomever wins in November will be able to command the support of their Parliamentary party.

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