Progressive Labour Party colleagues said they were stunned by Tourism and Telecommunications Minister Ren?e Webb's shock resignation from Cabinet on Tuesday.

But some hinted there was more to come about what sparked her sudden departure.

PLP backbencher Wayne Perinchief said: "I am just surprised. It came out of the blue. I heard what she had to say on the radio and not a lot of it made sense to me."

Former Government Senator Calvin Smith's initial reaction was puzzlement.

"She says it wasn't anything to do with the performance at the ministry. It wasn't anything to do with what went down between Stonington and Government. I haven't a clue what it was about.

"I don't know what goes on between them in Cabinet." He said had it right when it described her as very intelligent and ambitious. Ms Webb's frustration with Government to make greater inroads with black empowerment struck a chord with PLP voters, said Mr. Smith, who said similar sentiments were voiced on street corners every day.

"I think there's a big segment of the black community, particularly those in the low and middle income bracket, who would agree that things are moving very slowly. I think the Premier is aware, that's why he headlined the start of a social agenda. She's on the money there."

He said the loss of a Minister in one Government's key ministries was cause for concern but Dr. Brown would be able to move the ministry forward.

He noted Dr. Brown had been tipped for the post last time around but for reasons Mr. Smith didn't understand had been denied the job he had long coveted. "We are very fortunate to have a Dr. Brown waiting in the wings," he added.

Premier Alex Scott has yet to decide whether Dr. Brown will run tourism on a permanent basis.

"I know personally ? he's my cousin ? he would love to run tourism," said Mr. Smith. "He's got charm and personality that suits the position. There's been no one there with that kind of personality since Jim Wooldridge was there.

"He has considerable intelligence. Transport was a sleepy ministry until he took over. He started doing things in transport. He will take tourism to even greater heights."

But Mr. Smith said he was sorry to see Renee Webb out of the cabinet. He said if Ms Webb's story that she resigned because she was unhappy with things in cabinet was true then it was one of the gutsiest things he has seen a PLP minister do.

"Under the British system of Government that is what you are supposed to do if you are annoyed, you are supposed to resign. You see it happening in England. It's the ultimate condemnation. You don't sit in there. It's honourable."

Ms Webb said she did not feel she was treated properly as a woman but Mr. Smith emphatically denied charges of latent misogyny in the PLP.

He said: "In the first place there are very few woman in Parliament from the UBP."

He said the two women who had left the PLP's Cabinet had done so on their own volition.

Jennifer Smith was offered, but did not take, a Cabinet post after she was ousted from the Premiership while Ms Webb resigned. Three women ? Finance Minister Paula Cox Neletha Butterfield, Health Minister Patrice Parris and Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield remain in Cabinet.

Rookie backbencher Glenn Blackeney said: "I would think Ms Webb did what was in the best interests of the Cabinet and the Government."

He praised her as a pro-active minister. Asked about Ms Webb's impatience about black economic empowerment, he said that had some merit but businesses also needed to make sure they had everything properly planned if they were to succeed.

Premier Scott had hinted that Ms Webb's best work was at Telecommunications rather than Tourism. Mr. Blakeney agreed that David Allen had started a number of the initiatives which were now bearing fruit.