Finance Minister Paula Cox appears to have ruled herself out of challenging Premier Alex Scott for the leadership.

Some within the Progressive Labour Party had hoped she would weigh into the fight after Ewart Brown resigned from Cabinet last week to mount a bid to lead his party and country.

However, Party Campaign Chairman Walter Roban said: ?I have no indication she intends to run for the leadership.?

Another party insider said: ?It doesn?t look like she?s fighting. She?s not really into confrontational politics, she?s like her father.?

But Ms Cox could well make a popular choice as Deputy Leader of the PLP ? a post which Dr. Brown will relinquish if he fails to get the top prize.

Backbench Government MP Glenn Blakeney said there was still time for Ms Cox to make late run ahead of the vote on October 27 but a two-horse race was now looking most likely.

After repeating the maxim that 24 hours is a long time in politics, he said: ?Right now even 12 hours is a long time. You never know what could transpire.?

And another backbench MP, who declined to be named, said: ?I am sorry. I would definitely be a Cox supporter if she runs.?

So far the leadership fight has mostly remained low-key although Dr. Brown is expected to unveil a series of policy positions on Independence, health care and housing this week.

However, party insiders said there had been a weekend of feverish, behind-the-scenes activity with delegates and MPs being lobbied by both camps.

Several sources told that Dr. Brown was picking up support from unexpected places.

One backbench MP said: ?It has been surprising. A lot of people are saying ?Look at how he gets things done?.

?They are tired of the uncertainty ? back when the UBP were in power, they did what they had to do. They didn?t have town meetings, they got on with it.

?As I talk to more people I realise the leadership race will be closer than I thought. I thought at the beginning it would have been the Premier who wins but Dr. Brown seems to be closing ground.?

However, one party insider denied there was any serious threat to Mr. Scott. He said: ?I think the Premier is in a very good position.?

It will be Dr. Brown?s fourth and last attempt to gain a leadership position in the PLP.

In 1996 and 2000 he was defeated by Eugene Cox for the Deputy Leader?s post. In 2003 he accepted the Deputy Leader?s post when Mr. Cox resigned to save the party a bruising fight between Dr. Brown and Mr. Scott for the top job.

One Brown supporter, who sits on the backbenches, said the Premier could not rely on the votes of Terry and Dennis Lister, despite the elevation of their uncle Walter Lister into the Transport Ministry which Dr. Brown had vacated.

Said the MP: ?He could also be included in a Ewart Brown Cabinet as well.?

Another party source said Senator David Burch was fighting for his political life as a Brown win would spell the end of his time in Government. It could see Sen. Burch marshalling the Scott vote. The insider said: ?It?s critical for his survival. He?s very unpopular.?