The new Premier's vocal band of supporters flooded from the delegates' conference grinning broadly last night.

The evening had gone their way — and they were happy to wax lyrical about Dr. Ewart Brown's success.

Laverne Furbert came out of the delegates' conference all smiles, delighted that the man she had campaigned for had seized power.

"I feel great," said the Progressive Labour Party central committee member. "Just happy, relieved. We have worked very hard."

Earlier, Ms Furbert stalled the conference after calling for senators who were not in the Cabinet to be barred from voting.

Her claim that it was unconstitutional for them to pick the new leader as they were not members of parliament was eventually accepted, allowing the contest to go ahead.

But if she had been worried that those three extra votes — from Senators Walter Roban, Neville Tyrrell and Raymond Tannock — were going to make the difference, she was way off the mark.

After the result she said Dr. Brown's team had always been confident of a win. "We knew what we were going to do," she said. "Dr. Brown has worked hard and he deserved to win. He had a good campaign team."

Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert was happy to declare: "I voted Dr. Brown." He added: "Some people might say it was not the right time to have a change of leadership but the delegates sensed that it was time.

"They have had some concerns about where the party was headed. Tonight they voiced their concerns. They were satisfied with the job Alex Scott has done thus far, but now they want Dr. Brown's vision to take them forward."

He described the union as having a "great working relationship" with Dr. Brown, adding: "When he was Minister of Transport and Tourism we had issues from time to time but, like the outgoing Premier, I think he'll be very approachable. He's very direct and he gets things done."

Like many, Mr. Furbert expressed surprise at the gap of 31 votes between the two contenders.

"I thought it would have been a little closer than that, I really did. I said I thought it was going to be 20 votes at the most."

Rolfe Commissiong said he was "very happy". "A new era has begun not only in terms of the Progressive Labour Party but for Bermuda. I think this gives us a very powerful new beginning."