Premier Jennifer Smith is not safe in her job despite last night's emphatic leadership win.

Backbencher Randy Horton said a challenge would still be possible in another two years -- even if it was just before the next election.

He said: "You could see a challenge. It's quite likely, it depends on how things run.'' And he said Arthur Hodgson would not be sacked for disloyalty.

He said: "I don't think the Premier is about to remove him from the cabinet.

It is not a very wise thing to do -- he's a very smart man.'' He added: "In his speech to the delegates he talked about his vision for the country and talked about he importance of the family.'' Arthur Hodgson supporter Rolfe Commissiong said: "I think it was a healthy political process. I think the leadership learned lessons from this. I think we need to be more open, more democratic. "Mr. Hodgson deserves some credit.

"I am not sure if he has to resign, I would hope party unity would prevail and that the Premier would be aware of his advantages. He has a lot to offer.'' Backbencher Derrick Burgess said: "That's God's will. What I wanted was democracy to be healthy and I think that was displayed tonight -- yes we can run a leadership election and the party will remain intact.

Health minister Nelson Bascome said: "It shows that the leader has the overwhelming support of the party and it bodes well for the future.'' Senator Milton Scott said: "It was very positive and it shows that even when individuals offer themselves for office we can have a contest and the parliamentary group and the delegates voted for the Premier and for Eugene Cox and deputy leader.

"This enables us as a party and as a country to move forward and employ our policies. It is very healthy, it is democracy working, and its in the best interests of the party.'' Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott said: "I was totally satisfied with the result. "As I would have wished, the party has come forward to confirm the Premier and give her a very, very large mandate and Mr. Cox has equally been confirmed.

"Now it is for us to pick up the messages and go forward to serve the party as best we can.

"The election is behind us, the work is ahead of us.'' BROWN PROVIDES NIGHT'S SURPRISE CON Brown provides night's surprise Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown's bid for the deputy leadership was the surprise of the night.

But despite his heavy defeat by incumbant Finance Minister Eugene Cox doesn't mean Dr. Brown is about to fade into the background. He said it was his intention to eventually run for leadership despite only polling 31 votes to Eugene Cox's 87. He said: "This was a learning experience.

"I thought I would qualify for leadership before my political career is over.'' Derrick Burgess said he was surprised by Dr. Brown's bid.

He said: "He said he was happy to serve the party. Just like Arthur Hodgson -- willing to serve if called upon.

"I am not aware of him campaigning.'' Terry Lister denied Dr. Brown's bid was evidence of a leadership split. He said: "He's a younger man than Mr. Cox and may have thought that Minister Cox was getting to the point where he wanted to step down.

"He wanted to test the waters and see what the future holds. To see where the strength lies. I don't blame him for having a bid from that point of view.'' And Mr. Lister denied that Dr. Brown would be honour bound to step down under the principle of collective responsibility.

He said: "I would be surprised if a challenger to the deputy leader is required to resign.

"And in the case of the leader then it's up to the leader. This is a small country and there is only 26 MPs to choose from.''