It was all change at the top for the Opposition at the start of the year, as Wayne Furbert replaced Grant Gibbons as UBP frontman.

The switch came after months of public speculation and internal party manoeuvring on the leadership issue.

In the immediate aftermath of the decision, members of the UBP refused to comment on the behind the scenes moves that brought about Dr. Gibbons’ downfall after four years at the helm.

However, Dr. Gibbons made it clear his departure came about through losing the support of his party colleagues and that he did not want to step down.

Splits emerged in the party a few months earlier, when Dr. Gibbons admitted that some people within the UBP and outside the party felt the UBP needed a black leader.

The election of Mr. Furbert, who was Shadow Minister of Housing before the promotion, confounded the expectations of many political pundits.

Since rumours of discontent with Dr. Gibbons started circulating, they had tipped higher-profile MPs such as Michael Dunkley and John Barritt for the top job.

As the dust settled on the decision, party sources said the ousting of Dr. Gibbons was “more group therapy than blood-letting”.

It emerged that Opposition MPs had been meeting monthly since October, 2005 to discuss the leadership question.

Dr. Gibbons apparently put his leadership on the line at a January meeting at Michael Dunkley’s house. But the gamble backfired and it was made clear he had to go.

Poor personal poll results as well as low support for the party were cited by some as factors behind his downfall and the election of Mr. Furbert.

The PLP said the new UBP offered little new to voters.

And current Health Minister Nelson Bascome issued a damning assessment of Mr. Furbert.

Then a backbench MP, Mr. Bascome said: “I don’t see any strengths in him, I am trying to be very honest — his debating skills — he’s not the most articulate person in their team.”

One UBP supporter said Mr. Furbert’s perceived weaknesses as a public speaker could be reduced by speechwriters and a strong team. “John Swan was never a great public speaker,” said one.

However, nearly one year after he was made leader, the latest polls show that Mr. Furbert still seems to be struggling to convince voters — and perhaps crucially, black middle class swing voters seen as key to the UBP’s hopes — that he has the right credentials to be Premier.