Finance Minister Paula Cox’s decision to run for the deputy leadership of the Progressive Labour Party — as reported in today’s Royal Gazette <$>— may be the lifeline that Premier Alex Scott needs in Friday’s leadership fight.

Ms Cox’s decision to back Mr. Scott and her sharp criticism of Dr. Ewart Brown’s leadership bid also demonstrates just how deep the divisions in the governing party are, and it is not at all clear if this is a house that can be put together again.

It is also clear that the leadership vote is not just about the political ambitions of two men, but about the soul of a party.

The polls in today’s newspaper also show show just how weak Mr. Scott’s position is, not only within the PLP, but Island-wide.

The polls show that in a face-off, Dr. Brown has a two to one lead over Mr. Scott on a national basis, but a run-off between Ms Cox and the former Deputy Premier see Ms Cox prevail by a slim majority.

That begs the question of why Ms Cox herself is not running, but while she does not rule out a bid for the Premiership, for now she is remaining loyal to her leader, for which she deserves some credit.

And she would appear to bring popularity and respect to the Scott ticket, not only within the party, but across the Country.

However, Ms Cox’s words suggest she would find it difficult to serve under Dr. Brown, and she may not be alone.

She said: “I think if people conducted themselves with more integrity and decorum and put the interests of the country first we would have less public bloodletting. There have been some comments better made in a less public forum.”

And she also criticised him for the thinness of his programme, saying: “It seems to me extraordinary for someone who served at the Cabinet table, not just as a Minister since 1998 but in the role of Deputy Premier for the last three years, to see the fleshing out of ideas which in many ways replicated those already discussed and or actioned by the Cabinet in which he served.

“Having looked at the platform, I didn’t see anything that was distinct or innovative, particularly because much of the attributes of the former Deputy Premier was that he was seen as a man of innovation.”

Those are tough words to direct towards a former Cabinet colleague and fellow party member.

To be sure, Bermuda’s politicians are nothing if not flexible, and it may be that the winner of the vote will be able to assemble majority of MPs in order to form a Government. If Mr. Scott wins, Ms Cox will be crucial in doing that, given her own strong reputation.

If Dr. Brown wins, it may be that a large minority of PLP stalwarts will wash their hands of the party.

The bitterness engendered by this fight could make it difficult for Dr. Brown to assemble a Cabinet, not least because he could well lose the only other Minister who is seen as being effective. And the truth is that the PLP is not only divided, but it is desperately short of talent.

On that basis, the only party that may benefit from the PLP’s current turmoil is the one on the other side of the House of Assembly.