Will she or won?t she?

That?s the question occupying the minds of many Progressive Labour Party supporters in the run-up to next week?s leadership contest.

Even though Finance Minister Paula Cox has not entered the race, her shadow hangs over the contest between former Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown and Premier Alex Scott.

For those who do not support Dr. Brown but are not convinced that Mr. Scott deserves to keep his job ? or does not have the support to fend off the challenge ? Ms Cox seems to have all the right credentials for the top job.

The only Minister who has the same reputation as Dr. Brown for ?getting things done?, Ms Cox also comes without the baggage that weighs down both Mr. Scott and his challenger.

She has held several major portfolios including Home Affairs, Education and Attorney General and has been a capable Finance Minister ? the second biggest job in Cabinet after the Premier?s post itself.

Unlike Dr. Brown, who continues to struggle to explain his role in the ouster of Jennifer Smith or a string of quotable and controversial statements over the years, Ms Cox has endured remarkably little controversy since becoming a Minister in 1998.

And unlike Mr. Scott, who continues to have the mismanagement of the Berkeley project hanging over him, she has a reputation for honest and capable management of the Island?s finances.

To be sure, Ms Cox cannot claim a completely unblemished record. This newspaper dislikes the term limits policy imposed on expatriates that she introduced, and it must be noted that while she was a hard working Education Minister, some of the responsibility for public education?s problems must be laid at her door.

As Finance Minister, she has managed the economy and Government?s finances well, but has also presided over a dramatic increase in the size of the Civil Service which in turn has increased the burden on individuals and on small businesses when tax and duty cuts could have widened opportunity and improved the Island?s competitiveness.

But compared to most of her colleagues, Ms Cox has been a strong Cabinet Minister and has shown that she is prepared to study an issue and listen to all sides before making a decision. Some supporters of Dr. Brown seem to think that?s a bad thing, and say there has been too much consultation and too many town hall meetings under the Scott administration. To this newspaper, the high level of consultation is in both Mr. Scott and Ms Cox?s favour.

So what is the stumbling block to a Cox candidacy? By all accounts, it is Ms Cox herself. While she has never made any secret of her interest in the Premiership, she is clearly not campaigning for it and probably won?t.

To some extent, that?s to her credit. Bermuda could use a little less macho posturing and a little more humility and it certainly does not need, as former Cabinet Minister Arthur Hodgson seemed to be indicating when he spoke in favour of Dr. Brown, more risk-taking.

The PLP?s delegates should be looking for a known quantity. They will also be looking for the best person to win them re-election at the next General Election, and Ms Cox may be the best bet.

Given Ms Cox?s reluctance to throw down the gauntlet herself, there seem to be two options for her supporters. Barring a withdrawal by Mr. Scott, one is to nominate her from the floor next Friday evening and hope that she will accept and the other is for her to join Mr. Scott as a candidate for deputy leader on a ?dream ticket?. That would consolidate Mr. Scott?s support and bring those who are sitting on the fence to his side while setting Ms Cox up as the ?heir presumptive? when Mr. Scott steps down.

In the end, this is Ms Cox?s decision. But she should make it clear whether she is in or out.