Progressive Labour Party (PLP) chairman Neville Tyrell is confident that his party would be ready for the next General Election if it were called now.

The election machinery is "in place" and as the ruling party, the PLP has the advantage of setting the date, he said.

But a number of key party members differ on the party's readiness to fight a campaign now.

"I would imagine we would want to deal with our delegates' convention and wait for the Boundaries Commission report," said backbencher Wayne Perinchief. "I'd anticipate (an election date) next year and basing it on the fact that the Boundaries Commission report is not yet done... I don't think the party machinery is prepared for an election right now."

Differences between backbenchers and the Premier have grown in recent months and some believe that a firm resolution should be found before going into campaign mode. As far as Mr. Tyrell is concerned, the party will survive the differences - even after the same backbenchers demanded the Premier's resignation in May and then declined to publicly support Government's bid for Caricom Associate Membership.

"Everyone has their right to express their opinion," Mr. Tyrell said. "We certainly appreciate if those sentiments were expressed within the party. Sometimes the timing is not always the right time, but I think we are democratic enough to appreciate the fact that there are various views in the party."

Others, like Hamilton West branch chairman Charles Daniels, who has in the past admitted to having a lot of anxiety over a possible split in the party, said the party could use some time to discuss its internal issues some more and that the Premier should take as long as possible and complete the PLP's first term agenda before sending the Country to the polls.

Backbencher Dale Butler is not one of them. "Going the distance didn't work for the last guys did it?" Mr. Butler pointed out referring to the UBP's crushing defeat at the 1998 elections. He told this newspaper that regardless of when the election is called every party supporter will pull together under Premier Jennifer Smith for what he described as the "ultimate of elections".

Mr. Daniels said electioneering right now would be "counterproductive". "We need to use these energies carrying out programmes the community needs. We've got at least another 12 months, why use energies for electioneering? We need to stick to the wicket and get some serious work done in the next 12 months before taking the Country to the polls."

"It's going to happen when we run out of champagne," Mr. Butler joked. "I think everybody is going to be ready. It's going to be the ultimate of elections - the Country will have to decide if it wants to go back to the UBP, which has been constantly trying to portray the PLP as incapable, incompetent and unable" or the electorate will give the party a vote of confidence.

"We're in a great position," Mr. Butler continued. "The banks are reporting record profits, there are more scholarships, more mortgage money. It all sounds good to me."

And he said waiting until after the delegates' conference was pointless. At the annual delegates' conference in November, a leadership vote is a distinct possibility.

"That's a done deal," said Mr. Butler dismissing any speculation that Ms Smith will be successfully challenged. "She (Premier Jennifer Smith) might have a couple of issues with the backbench but she still retains the support of the grassroots. It's amazing. They see her as a down to earth kind of guy. So how are you going to get rid of her?" Candidates would have "no choice" but to pull together and form a cohesive team under Jennifer Smith, when the election is called, he continued.

"Your ship's sailing on a course and you see a hurricane behind you and a clear path ahead of you, which one are you going to go for? We need all hands on deck to maneouver the ship."