Charismatic, confident and supremely ambitious Ewart Brown could be about to embark on the biggest political gamble of his life.

Yet some believe it's now or never as he seeks to seize on perceived inertia in the Alex Scott Government.

And after earning plaudits for his energetic handling of the tourism portfolio by landing new air routes Dr. Brown, now in his sixtieth year, won't want to dither and let in a rival who could scupper his long-term ambitions to lead his party and country.

He made his stance known way back in 2000 when he was soundly beaten by Eugene Cox who he sought to oust as Deputy Leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

Biding his time Dr. Brown busied himself improving the Island's ferry system but controversial efforts to modernise the taxi service through mandatory GPS have suffered setbacks that last to this day.

Easily the most powerful orator in the House of Assembly his plain speaking has seen him sharply criticise backward union practices which would have caused uproar in his party if said by the Opposition.

However his racial pronouncements have often got him in hot water as in the 2003 election campaign when he urged supporters not to vote themselves back to the plantation by voting UBP.

And his candid remarks to the party delegates about why the 11 rebels who ousted Jennifer Smith "had to mislead you" might still prove his downfall with some party stalwarts never likely to forgive the treachery.

The split saw him settle for the post of Deputy Premier as compromise candidate Alex Scott was wheeled in to separate the factions.

One MP who admires many of Dr. Brown's qualities said: "When I first heard that statement I thought 'That will follow you for the rest of your life'.

"He would have been better saying 'We had to do what we had to do'. It's not deception, it's politics. But for some people it's still an issue."

But the MP said the mood was not ripe for change.

"I came from a central committee meeting last night. It seems there's more togetherness, it's more focused. Everyone is thinking we have an election coming up."