Premier Alex Scott could be tempted to keep the Finance portfolio himself until February?s budget is delivered, a senior Progressive Labour Party insider predicted last night.

He said deceased Finance Minister Eugene Cox had kept a firm grip on the nation?s finances right up until his last Cabinet meeting.

With the budget nearly at the stage of being typed the Premier could choose to deliver it himself.

?My guess is he would probably keep the Finance Ministry himself until February,? said the MP.

Delaying a reshuffle could possibly mean a candidate with a strong financial background might be elected at the forthcoming by-election for Mr. Cox?s Sandys seat, said the insider.

Last week deputy leader Dr. Ewart Brown did not rule himself out of taking on Finance. ?I am interested in whatever the Premier wants me to do,? he said.

Asked about Dr. Brown?s intentions the MP said: ?He?s very much interested in Tourism.?

With current incumbent Renee Webb clashing with civil servants it might solve a problem if Dr. Brown took the Ministry on.

But the MP said Dr. Brown could be tempted to get take on the weighty Finance portfolio.

?Dr. Brown is fast, he gets things done, he?s a possibility.?

Paula Cox has also been tipped for the post, in a move which could see her relinquishing the Attorney General?s post in favour of Senator Michael Scott who has been linked with the vacant Sandys seat where Mr. Cox stood.

As a professional accountant Works and Engineering Minister Terry Lister might seem an obvious choice but he has said he has no interest in it, while the fact that his wife is chairman of the Bermuda Monetary Authority would lead to a conflict of interest.

Some have tipped the current vacancy as opening up a possibility for former Premier Jennifer Smith to return to the Cabinet.

But two Government MPs who spoke to dismissed this possibility as being too divisive.

Ms Smith was ousted by party colleagues immediately after the election last July as colleagues grew weary of her aloof style.

One MP said: ?There would be a lot of grief if she came back in. I don?t see her coming back.?

He admitted the Education portfolio might tempt her but he said he believed she was more interested in becoming the Island?s first woman speaker, a move which could set her on the path to becoming a Dame.

With newcomers from the election still finding their feet the eventual reshuffle could see promotion for one or more of overlooked backbenchers Wayne Perinchief, Ottiwell Simmons, Walter Lister and Derrick Burgess.

However, Cabinet changes could come too soon for the rehabilitation of former Health Minister Nelson Bascome who is now busy pursuing business interests.