Government Ministers Renee Webb and Alex Scott have challenged malcontents to put up or shut up after backbenchers called for the Premier to step down.

Last week Progressive Labour Party MPs Wayne Perinchief and El James called on Jennifer Smith to stand down or cost the party the election.

So far only backbencher Arthur Hodgson has hinted he will stand. He was heavily defeated when he challenged Ms Smith two years ago and shortly after was sacked from cabinet.

Last night Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb said: "For anyone who wants to challenge the time is in November and they should stand up and be counted.

"I think the PLP should put all their efforts on winning the election but if someone wants to stand they should declare. They should be openly campaigning."

She said leaders needed to have the courage of their convictions and could not hope to get the post without being open about it.

Asked if Premier Jennifer Smith was doing a good job Ms Webb said: "I think it's the best she can do."

Ms. Webb said she was not interested in the job herself. "Although other people tell me I should be," she added.

Ms. Webb urged this paper to find out if Mr. Perinchief and Mr. James were campaigning for a challenger.

Last night Mr. Perinchief could not be contacted while El James refused to comment.

He said: "Whatever happens will happen. I don't want to give a running dialogue to the Press on every little detail." And he refused to say if challengers were lobbying behind the scenes.

Works and Engineering MinWorks and Engineering Minister and Jennifer Smith loyalist Alex Scott said the party's constitution allowed challenges.

He said: "I think the Pemier would be the first to say if someone want to challenge she won't speak against that." But he said any challenge should be left until the party conference.

"That's the appropriate time for the Premier to be challenged unless something extraordinary happens."

He said it was natural there would be some unhappiness in any healthy political party.

He said Ms Smith was hardworking and diligent and spent more time behind the scenes rather than courting popularity.

"Her rationale is by my work I shall be judged. She might not kiss as many babies and wave as others."

Mr. Scott said Ms. Smith had ensured financial stability and proved United Bermuda Party scare-mongerers wrong when they claimed thousands of jobs would go if the PLP took power.

He said: "Fortunately the role of Premier is not about popularity. You could be very popular but be a disaster for the Country.

"There are those who say she is hurting the party but the polls I have seen don't support that view. I don't know if there will be a challenge but I think she would win just based on my analysis."

See Editorial, Page 4