the Progressive Labour Party conference at Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters last night.

And she appealed for unity and restraint amid the rumours that she faces a leadership challenge.

She told delegates: "My wish is that this year's conference be characterised by reason and restraint, listening and learning, understanding and unity.

"The party has grown and this growth is reflected in the crease of branch delegates...so many that the party headquarters could not accommodate the numbers.'' But she said: "For a political party to remain attractive, relevant and vibrant it must be driven by a strong membership base and it must be built from the ground up.

"If truth be told, we have not all been pulling our weight to the fullest.

Members and delegates, we must clear the negatives from our minds and focus on the positives -- for there are many.

"We must learn to carry a message of support and loyalty to the party that will strengthen the party as the only hope and best choice for the future of this country.'' And she won applause when she said: "Members, in order for us to move forward, complacency must be replaced by vigour, arrogance replaced with humility, conceit with open mindedness, gossip and propaganda with proper analysis and sound reasoning and laziness with hard work.'' She said the theme for this year's conference (responsibility plus commitment plus ownership equals success) was chosen by the conference committee to reflect the need for all members to take an active role in supporting the party.

The Premier went on: "We hear talk about what the party needs to do, the inference is that members think the party is something separate from themselves, the party is not some anonymous thing, the party is you, the party is me, the party is made up of its various parts.'' She said policy had come from ordinary members.

"Taking responsibility requires commitment, the commitment to take ownership of the actions and activities required to make your party, our party, responsive and successful.

"If members join the party and find they do not agree with a particular policy or position then members have a responsibility, either individually or collectively to take issue through the branch, or the central committee representative or in caucus.

"Members you must take responsibility for being an active member. "If your branch is not holding meetings or is not holding them as often as you would like, members are free to attend central committee. "But more importantly members can take personal responsibility to contact the party organisers whose responsibility includes ensuring branches are operating properly.

"Perhaps there is no one to serve as chairman in which case you can take personal responsibility like offering to serve in that position.'' She said the PLP could repeat their 1998 election victory if they remained focus, positive and united.

Ms Smith said the party could look with pride at its accomplishments which included: internships for young Bermudians on cruise ships, the CURE regulations, the presentation of an Employment Act setting up standards for employment, e-commerce legislation, mandated class sizes for P1 and P2 students and the Hotel Concessions Act.

She said next year would be even more exciting with the introduction of constitutional change which would ensure "one-man, one vote of equal value''.

She said it was her party's social conscience that caused it to commit in its 1998 manifesto to finding a solution for Bermuda's long term residents while protecting the interests of Bermudians.

"It was not in response to any lobby but was the result of the party's belief in basic human rights. Because we believe it is the right thing to do after 35 years of neglect.'' Jennifer Smith: Build party from the ground up