Ruling party dissident backbenchers calling for Jennifer Smith to be replaced as Premier risk being replaced themselves come candidate selection time for the next elections.

Supporters of Ms Smith pointed out that the rank-and-file members of the party voted overwhelmingly through their delegates to keep Ms Smith on as party leader when she was challenged by MP Arthur Hodgson, in 2000.

With another challenge looming at the next delegates conference this November, most of the branch organisations have written letters of support to Ms Smith.

Officers in the branches are likely to be delegates at the leadership conference - an indication that Ms Smith will handily beat back any challengers come November.

But Smith supporters are not too happy at comments made by backbencher Wayne Perinchief that the ruling party MPs alone can oust the Premier by a majority vote.

In effect, they say, that would be undermining the Government as well as the wishes of the grassroots supporters who expect that the party leader they select will also be the Premier if the party is in government.

Ms Smith's running mate, Delaey Robinson, says that the Parliamentary caucus approach to removing Ms Smith is risking political suicide.

“Those backbenchers who want to commit political hara-kiri with a kamikaze vote against their branches are short-sighted in terms of their political careers,” he said. “After all, they will face the candidate selection process very shortly.”

Candidates for elections are nominated by the branches, with the final selection made by the Central Committee's campaign committee.

This week Mr. Tyrrell confirmed that the Central Committee rarely goes against branch choices because the branches are instrumental in getting the candidates elected.

The party's official approach to the dissidents is more moderate and diplomatic than that suggested by Mr. Robinson.

But there is a growing sentiment among Smith supporters that its now time for a harder line.

Asked whether it was likely that the branches will find candidates to replace the dissidents for the next election, Mr. Tyrell said “It's a possibility but it's up to the branches”.

He also said that only two branches had not written in to support Ms Smith - Paget and Mr. Hodgson's own Hamilton Parish branch. But he hastened to point out that that did not necessarily mean that they were against her.

Mr. Perinchief, as de facto spokesperson for the dissidents, appears to be most at risk of being deselected. His Pembroke branch is reported to have voted unanimously to retain Ms Smith in 2000, and while he has admitted that turning around the branches to support his mission is an “uphill struggle” he dismisses their support of Ms Smith as ‘blind loyalty'.”

Mr. Perinchief could not be contacted for comment by presstime last night. In an unpublished interview last year, he told The Royal Gazette that he fully intended to be a candidate at the next election even if it meant standing as an independent.

Pembroke branch chairman Scott Pearman has declined repeated requests for comment on the squabble.

Mr. Robinson said that candidate accountability to their branches will become “even more critical” once a single-seat electoral system is put into place.

“We've been suffering under an archaic system and it will be difficult for politicians to make statements against their branches, especially if you are a career politician. If you are a one-off I guess you can do anything.”

Mr. Perinchief has said that the Bermuda Constitution supports his claim that his party's caucus can remove the Premier.

Others disagree, saying that the Constitution requires a no-confidence vote in the Government with all Parliamentarians participating.

“It's not strange there should be speculation on how it should be done because certainly there are MPs that have looked at the Constitution,” said Mr. Robinson. “There's no question it (Mr. Perinchief's argument) has merit. It's just that these guys are burning their bridges, to put it mildly.”

He added: “It's my hope that it will be handled internally and that the majority party will settle its affairs with its own mechanisms. It's a flight of fancy for people to go to the Constitution and hope they can do it through the Constitution. And that means no disrespect to the Bermuda Constitution... I think some people don't realise how important the branches are and that will be driven home when there are single seat constituencies. You can't blame anyone else - it's only you. And your branch will hold you accountable.

He said that the party's supporters would support the nominated candidates no matter who they are.

“It's really fundamental that the support for the Premier really is grassroots, not just the branches but throughout the country. They want this leadership in.”