Premier Jennifer Smith's position as Government leader is hanging in the balance after a number of her own MPs demanded her resignation, The Royal Gazette has been told.

On Thursday night, Cabinet Ministers and Government backbenchers met at Sessions House in an extraordinary five-hour meeting to discuss the party's progress under the leadership of Ms Smith.

Sources have told The Royal Gazette that the Premier was asked to resign by her backbench but refused.

The 18 MPs present then took a vote which resulted in a hung decision of nine votes to nine, it has been claimed.

It is believed the backbench stated they felt the Premier was discrediting Government and the Progressive Labour Party (PLP), and had failed to achieve many of the PLP's goals.

In a motion read by backbencher Wayne Perinchief, the Premier was asked to jump ship before she was pushed.

A secret ballot was held and half of those present voted that the Premier should relinquish her role.

It is unclear now what the next step will be with regards the Premier, however, people said they believed it was not a healthy position for the Government to be in.

The Royal Gazette has also been told that a number of people demanded that the Premier's chief of staff and Minister without Portfolio, Sen. David Burch, also stand down.

A source said: "Many believe that Colonel Burch is an albatross around the Premier's neck.

"They want him out altogether and her to stand down."

Both the Premier and Sen. Burch were present at the meeting.

Nobody was put forward to challenge the Premier on Thursday night, but it is believed that if and when she goes, front runners would be Dr. Ewart Brown, Paula Cox, Alex Scott and Arthur Hodgson.

The Royal Gazette understands that seven backbenchers and two Cabinet Ministers were the dissidents who voted to remove Ms Smith.

Sources said they believed Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb and Dr. Brown were the most likely Ministers to have voted against her.

The backbenchers are said to be Mr. Hodgson, Reginald Burrows, Dale Butler, Stanley Morton, Mr. Perinchief, Ottiwell Simmons and Derrick Burgess.

Last night, a number of Government MPs and members of the party were staying tight-lipped about the ballot, which comes in the wake of growing tension over the Premier's ability to lead.

Party chairman Neville Tyrrell, when asked to comment on the vote, repeatedly said: "I don't think I can talk to you about that."

The party's press spokesman Glenn Blakeney said he did not have all the details.

And a number of Cabinet members refused to comment on the meeting on Thursday.

Backbencher Mr. Butler denied outright there was a meeting about the Premier, or a vote.

He said: "I don't know what you are talking about."

However, yesterday, a number of people confirmed The Royal Gazette's information about the vote, but were anxious to remain anonymous.

One anti-Smith MP said: "We want someone who is approachable and who will take care of the needs of the majority of the people, particularly the have-nots and the not so privileged."

Another source said: "On Thursday night, the Premier was asked to tender her resignation, but failing that, she was told they would take a vote.

"Of course, she didn't resign.

"There were also a number of backbenchers who were unable to make it to the meeting, and just one more vote would have meant that she would have had to go. She has just clung on."

Those in favour of the embattled leader were believed to be members of the old guard PLP, including Attorney General Dame Lois Browne-Evans and Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome and Community Affairs Minister Randy Horton are believed to have surprised some members by voting in the Premier's favour when the crunch vote came.

Education and Development Minister Paula Cox did not cast a vote.

She was at the meeting early in the evening, but had to leave and did not return for the private ballot.

Others said to have been missing included Government backbenchers Elvin James, Walter Lister, Rev. Wilbur Lowe, Neletha Butterfield and Delaey Robinson.

It is believed the backbench has increasingly felt left out in the cold on a number of important issues, such as Bermuda's proposal to join Caricom and changes to the Constitution.

It has been said that they have often complained that they are not consulted on PLP policy and changes to the law.

A number of backbenchers have stated they are unable to "get to the Premier" to discuss issues or concerns.

But the The Royal Gazette understands that the final straw came three weeks ago when the Premier did a sudden U-turn over the closure of St. George's Police Station without first consulting with her group, causing much confusion within her own party, as well as the community.

And only last week, discontent was obvious among some Government MPs during the debate over changes to the double jeopardy rule, which would allow for people to be tried twice for the same offence.

Despite Government's opposition to the motion, which had been tabled by the United Bermuda Party, the motion was lost by just three votes.

A number of Government MPs were absent from the vote, while outspoken backbencher Mr. Butler spoke out at length in favour of it and subsequently voted for the measure.

He has also since spoken openly in the media about his feeling of "betrayal" by the PLP Government.

It was claimed that prior to the meeting on Thursday night, which had been planned a week in advance, that the Premier ordered all of her Cabinet members to a meeting early on Thursday morning, which lasted all day.

A source said: "Cabinet members were virtually closeted all day."

The Bermuda Constitution states that the Governor can use his discretion to appoint a new Premier if he feels that the current Government leader no longer has the support of the majority of the House.

That means that the dissidents within the Parliamentary group can continue their campaign to remove the Premier as often, and for as long, as they wish.

It is only the post of PLP party leader which is voted on by both Parliamentary members and party delegates.

That could take place at the next PLP conference in November.

In November of 2000, then Environment Minister Mr. Hodgson challenged the Premier to the position of party leader, but lost.

Had he challenged her for the position of Premier, he may have had the support of his Parliamentary group and won.

As a result of his challenge, he lost his Cabinet position and was demoted to the backbench.