The entire executive leadership of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) was returned to office by acclamation last night at the end of the third day of the party's annual delegates conference.

"I'm proud to serve the party again," Party Leader and Premier Jennifer Smith told this newspaper.

"I have a sense that the party is gearing up to be a united front in the next general election and to take victory again."

The mood, she said, had been "very upbeat".

"It's always great to be given an opportunity to serve the people again and I am very, very happy to be involved," said Finance Minister Eugene Cox, who keeps his post as Deputy Leader.

"I was very surprised and happy."

He said he had no plans to retire in the near future and was hopeful that the party would win the next election so that it can continue its programmes.

"You want to leave the ship stable.

"I would like to think we can do that in the next few weeks so that we can go into the next election with the cohesion and togetherness to make sure that we are successful.

"I'm certainly glad for Madam Premier because I think the job that has been started - this will give us a chance to finish it."

By some accounts the Premier was primarily responsible for generating that mood.

She opened the conference with an impassioned call for harmony within the ranks and some reflections on leadership qualities and received a standing ovation for the effort.

Then, shortly before last night's election of officers, she addressed the delegates again with a progress report since the last conference a year ago.

"This past year has been the best of times and the worst of times," the Premier said.

"The best because after years of pushing for single seat constituencies, with as near equal as possible numbers of voters in each constituency - we are close to finally achieving that long held goal of this party's founding fathers.

"The worst, because friends, family members, party stalwarts - and a colleague, near and dear to our hearts - left us during this past year."

She thanked every official of the party, and her Cabinet for their work, then outlined the Government's accomplishments over the year.

"I am proud that despite the challenges we can look back on a year of achievement," she said.

"I hope that we have performed the job to your satisfaction and you will re-elect the team that has brought you thus far....

"It is an honour to serve in this Government.

"It is an honour to be your Leader."

"I am one of the happiest men in the Country right now," said party spokesman Glenn Blakeney.

"The mood was one of emotion, very spirited, very upbeat, very anticipated and extremely overwhelming with regard to the majority consensus and, indeed the unanimous consensus by acclamation of the executive being returned, first and foremost the Party Leader and Premier of the Country who is doing a superb job with a vision that is unrivalled so far in her execution and the team that she has in the Cabinet.

"I'm just very happy because you have so many arrows aimed at you - ill will and banter."

Ms Smith had provided the high points of the conference so far with two addresses to the delegates - one to open the conference and the second just before last night's election of officers, he added.

"I think it's a vote for continuity and I think we are ready to go on and fight the election with a strong team," said Education Minister Paula Cox.

"There was a sense of quiet confidence and assurance and I think it was interesting because we didn't have the rancour that you sometimes see.

"We are now in a mode to go forward together.

"It doesn't mean that there wouldn't be sometimes some divergent opinions.

"But I think I felt good and I think generally most of us felt good.

"It was at sometimes emotional, a couple of tears were shed by those who were in position of highest office.

"It was moving to have people behind you like that."

Community and Culture Minister Randy Horton said that now the party was ready to "get on with the business of winning the election.

"The mood was good and I think people are ready to put their heads together and do what we have to do."

Backbencher Wayne Perinchief, who has been a vocal critic of the Premier, and advocated her removal earlier this year said that the "will of the people has been reinforced".

He agreed that the party was in solidarity.

But Mr. Perinchief declined to comment when asked if his concerns about the leadership had been alleviated.

"I have always been a team player," he said when questioned further.