As new Deputy Leader, Paula Cox will be the highest profile member of the Alex Scott camp in the new Government.

Delegates hardly had time to draw breath after the vote that saw Ewart Brown replace Mr. Scott as Party leader before they were asked to decide on a Deputy Leader.

It was a straight contest between the Finance Minister and Environment Minister Randy Horton.

Almost as soon as the votes began to be totted up it was obvious there was a clear favourite — a fact recognised by Mr. Horton who conceded defeat before all the votes were counted.

The Scott/Cox ticket didn’t sway delegates but they clearly saw merit in keeping Ms Cox in a high-profile role.As she took a seat beside Dr. Brown following the ballot, she said there might be differences of opinion between herself and the new leader but that would bring positives.

“I would argue history, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived. But if it is faced with courage it will not be repeated.

“What we see in the essence of Cabinet, Government and Party unity is that it is about collective responsibility and, despite whatever we might think of each other personally, and while I would hope I will have a good bond with the newly elected Party leader, even if we don’t, it is the interests of the Party and the Country that come first,” said Ms Cox.

“And I think that is what is going to characterise us going forward to build and improve on what we already have.

“Since 1998 we have both served in the same Cabinet and there has always been a good relationship, we don’t always see things the same way, but that also helps for a good dynamism and I think that is what is going to help to animate us to move and take Bermuda to the next level. I look forward to being part of a strong partnership to make sure that becomes a reality.”

There was no sign of distress from Mr. Horton at having been defeated. He said he had put his name forward because he did not think it right for anyone to take office without facing some form of contest.

Mr. Horton explained: “I did not canvass for the vote but I do not think that anyone should just walk in, so I stood and we went through the process. I’m very happy that Ms Cox is deputy. Even though I ran too, that’s who I expected to be deputy.”

The voting reached 95-32 in Ms Cox’s favour when Mr. Horton threw in the towel.

“When she got halfway that’s when I decided to concede. When she got one more than halfway I conceded,” he said.

“I am very happy she is the Deputy Leader. She deserves it. She’s an outstanding politician. She’s bright, articulate, she’s a great person to work with in Cabinet.

“But I feel no one should walk in anywhere unopposed.”

Asked about the dynamics of Cabinet and Government with such a strong Alex Scott camp personality in one of the most powerful roles, Mr. Horton replied: “When we sit around the table we do not all have like- minds and we battle a lot in Cabinet and that’s important.

“It is important for people to not be of like-mind otherwise you would not get the input you need to make the right decisions.”

New leader Dr. Brown concurred, stating he and Ms Cox had been meeting on a weekly basis in Cabinet since the PLP was elected Government in 1998.

“If anyone is looking for differences or disagreements that will cause dislocations, you will probably be disappointed,” he said.