Yesterday's announcement of the PLP's first election candidate has again triggered speculation an election is likely this summer.

Earlier this year it had been assumed by many that July would be the most likely month but election fever died down after recent allegations that prominent PLP politicians had once been investigated by Police probing corruption at Bermuda Housing Corporation.

The furore led to the Premier threatening to stop working with the Governor although the spat was resolved when Government House agreed to call in British Police to hunt for the mole who leaked the files.

One PLP supporter said: "I definitely feel an election is going to be called. Dr. Brown is not going to make anyone feel you can do anything to change his mind. It would seem like a weakness."

The source said to let up in the face of recent controversy would be to give credence to the suspicions. "He has to keep moving forward."

However one Government MP took the opposite view, saying: "He would be a fool to call it right now with all this stuff going on, lots of people are upset. I don't think anyone expects it now.

"He's got until January 2009 to call it. He can call it next summer. People have to go out and canvass. It takes time if you expect to win. It is not as much as a shoo-in as he originally thought.

"And the committee wants to win 30 seats. I don't think so! The UBP has more than six safe seats."

Another MP said he thought time had run out for a summer poll as after Cup Match people are travelling.

"This is difficult. I can't read it at all."

He said the PLP had gone five years in power before calling the last election so there was no pressing need to hold one this year.

"However Dr. Brown is a relatively new leader - he might want to get the endorsement of the electorate."

The MP said if Dr. Brown opted to cut and run now the election would be close but the PLP would win, perhaps with the loss of one or two seats.

"The thing is getting people out to vote."