Opposition leader Wayne Furbert will face a confidence vote next week — but some party sources believe he could step down before then.

United Bermuda Party Deputy leader Michael Dunkley has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Mr. Furbert who has been in the post just over a year.

However Finance Spokesman Patricia Gordon-Pamplin could get the nod if there's a backlash against the pro-Dunkley plotters.

Seven MPs signed a motion given to Party Chairman Shawn Crockwell at lunchtime yesterday — although its thought the document has been around for much longer.

It's believed the MPs are: Michael Dunkley, Jon Brunson, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, David Dodwell, Grant Gibbons, Louise Jackson and Susann Roberts Holshouser.

A simple majority of the party's 13 MPs will be enough to remove Mr. Furbert and a simple majority can select a new leader.

But Party chairman Shawn Crockwell said he expected two separate meetings if the first vote goes against Mr. Furbert.

"People might want to canvass and time to consider."

And he said no one had officially declared they were running.

"My information is, out of respect for the leader, no names have been put forward."

Asked if Mr. Furbert will fight on he said: "I believe the honourable Wayne Furbert will do what's best for Bermuda and the UBP.

"He always puts the country first, I am not saying it's something he is happy about.

"He will deal with it in a dignified and honourable way."

Mr. Crockwell said he believed Maxwell Burgess would be allowed to participate in the vote, despite rumours that the whip had been withdrawn after Mr. Burgess publicly called for Mr. Furbert to resign.

Mr. Furbert's leadership has been an open question since two messy high level resignations at the beginning of the year.

First high-flying MP Jamahl Simmons left the party after alleging a racist clique in his seat had been out to get him then party chairman Gywneth Rawlins quit after claiming a white elite was still running the party.

Then senior MP Maxwell Burgess publicly called for Mr. Furbert, his former ally and running mate, to step down after blasting him for mishandling internal splits.

But one MP last night said UBP parliamentarians had suffered a case of "buyer's remorse" seven or eight months ago and even before the explosive resignations Mr. Furbert "had no votes in the room".

It's understood Mr. Furbert, who replaced Grant Gibbons last January, has never enjoyed the full support of his colleagues.

He beat fellow challenger Maxwell Burgess by six votes to four in several run-offs which saw four MPs — believed to be Michael Dunkley, Jon Brunson, Louise Jackson and Susann Roberts-Holshouser abstain.

The Royal Gazette understands Ms Roberts-Holshouser eventually threw her lot in with Mr. Furbert while Mr. Burgess then withdrew leaving the way clear for Mr. Furbert.

One Opposition MP said the method of forcing the leadership issue now was "almost nasty" in trying to vote out Mr. Furbert without having any obvious replacement.

"Why doesn't someone say 'I want the job, I am challenging you.' It's strange days."

The MP said Mr. Furbert had been elected on a ticket of more social concern but immediately moved to the right, taking advice from those who hadn't supported him, but losing the backing of some of his allies.

"He was warned: 'Michael Dunkley is going to take you out' back in September. We had been telling him for months."

But Mr. Furbert, who could not be reached for comment last night, was characterised as someone who believed God had chosen him to become the next Premier.

"If you believe you cannot lose you don't take the precautions necessary."

And the source believes Mr. Furbert will quit politics altogether if he is unable to cling to his leadership — forcing a messy by-election in highly marginal Hamilton Parish.

"He said this numerous times before all this happened — I would not be surprised if he resigned if they put him out. But no-one can win that seat but him."

Another Opposition MP, speaking on conditions of anonymity, said the group pushing out Mr. Furbert had no strategy and by leaving it so late they had further jeopardised the party's election chances with Premier Ewart Brown likely to go to the polls in July.

"I don't think Michael Dunkley is the man for the job. I think the party is heading backward.

"Michael Dunkley has presided over two or three leaders as deputy but he's never really emerged.

"I don't think people see him as a leader, every time they go to replace a leader you look at the deputy. I think he's got it by default, not by quality."

The MP said the leadership wrangling could drag out if past history was anything to go by.

"They were a year trying to get Grant Gibbons out so maybe Wayne has got eight months to go."

He too said if Mr. Furbert was axed the party could "kiss Hamilton West goodbye."

The MP said Patricia Gordon-Pamplin would make a great leader but its thought she doesn't want it. However the MP said she might be pushed forward by those opposed to the pro-Dunkley faction.

Last night most Opposition MPs were staying tight-lipped. Asked if he was vying for the leadership Mr. Dunkley said: "My answer is the same as yesterday. It's an internal party matter."