ORMER Senator and Progressive Labour Party veteran Calvin Smith is backing Ewart Brown in his bid for the Premiership, claiming "he's our best shot at accomplishing things that need to be done".

Mr. Smith said he had been unaware that Dr. Brown would challenge Premier Alex Scott for the top job as he had been off the island, but was not surprised on hearing the news.

"He has always said that he wanted to become leader, it was just a question of when," Mr. Smith said.

In a guarded attack on Premier Scott's administration, the union official said Government needed to do more to bring Bermuda "up to the next level".

He said it was essential for Government to begin empowering sections of the community that had been left behind during Bermuda's economic boom ? and that Dr. Brown's experience abroad made him the best candidate to bring about that change.

"I'm not knocking Alex but reality is reality," Mr. Smith said.

"What Ewart Brown brings to the table is energy, intelligence and a desire to make Bermuda a better place, to take it up to the next level.

"If black Bermudians aren't taken to the next level then I think we will have a problem and I think this Government has been tackling this issue but not with enough zeal and enthusiasm.

"People talk about the need for all Bermudians to get along but I think the best way for that to happen is if a large portion of the population doesn't feel it's being left out."

Mr. Smith pointed out the challenger's many years as a US resident, saying that the experience would help him as leader.

"I think through that experience he would have learned about doing things that Bermuda needs to do ? getting everyone to share equally in Bermuda's economic prosperity," he said.

"He went to Howard University, he knows black leaders in the US and he can bring in black experts.

"As well as intelligence, energy and enthusiasm he's also not afraid to take risks and if he gets knocked back in the process he just gets straight back up and tries again."

Mr. Smith also predicted that, if Premier, Dr. Brown would also put in a stronger push for the advancement of women.

He also suggested that Dr. Brown's bid could force the hand of other candidates. Under the Progressive Labour Party constitution, a challenge to the Premier can only be made every four years.

Asked if Finance Minister Paula Cox may now throw her hat in the ring, Mr. Smith said: "I think there are any number of candidates who are certainly capable. You might see Terry Lister reversing his decision to retire, or Dale Butler might put in a challenge."

Mr. Smith refused to make any prediction on who might win a leadership contest, saying that he had yet to hear any "party buzz".

And he held back from urging party delegates to vote for Dr. Brown at next month's contest.

"That's up to individual delegates, although I will be supporting him," he said.

"I think he can handle it and I think he would be very good".