Deputy Premier Paula Cox believes Premier Ewart Brown should be safe in his job after the election, despite recent criticism from prominent party supporters.

She spoke out after the Premier sent out an e-mail urging Progressive Labour Party colleagues not to challenge him until after Bermuda had voted. But she appeared to concede there might have been moves afoot to undermine him.

She told The Royal Gazette: "I don't think there is any clear signal that they (the PLP) want a change of leader at the close of the election. "I am not taking into account any other variables of how the election results are.

"But I don't think right now there is any present intention to change leader but I don't get invited to the meetings.

"I don't know who holds the meetings but they certainly don't invite me. I think the Premier sent out the note — I was abroad at the time — in reaction to some meetings."

She declined to comment further on those meetings. PLP MP Renee Webb had said Dr. Brown's declining popularity could cost the party the election while former MP Trevor Woolridge had called on him to resign because his loss of credibility was damaging the party and country.

It followed Government losing its last ditch bid to gag the press in a costly court case in London and saw the Premier respond with a unity call as he told colleagues: "There will be plenty of time for you to attempt leadership changes AFTER the victory, but let's get the victory first!"

That could open up the prospect of another post-poll leadership change like that which saw Jennifer Smith dumped as Premier hours after leading the PLP to triumph for a second time running.

But Ms Cox said the mood had changed now, as she pointed out those attacks on Premier Brown had come immediately in the wake of the Privy Council ruling.

She said soundings on the doorstep and from radio show 'Bermuda Speaks' showed the public were firmly on the side of the Premier.

"I would say the mood has shifted," Ms Cox said. "When I listen to people the issue doesn't come up so much about Ewart Brown.

"If anything the Premier has almost come a martyr-like figure — it seems to me it has coalesced his support."

The Deputy Premier said the critics had merely stirred up the sympathy vote for Dr. Brown.

And Ms Cox said the Premier had given people what they wanted with his fiery speech to the PLP delegates where he lashed out at the media and the United Bermuda Party.

He spoke of "vicious and vile opponents" trying to execute a smear campaign. Other enemies were described as "demented deviants" and "snide, nasty personalities".

The address was unlike any other in recent times. But Ms Cox said: "People right now want a firebrand."

And Ms Cox, who has been touted as a possible successor to Premier Brown, said: "That's not my modus operandi."