Ever the showman and smooth operator, Dr. Brown appeared to be on sparkling form as he delivered his barnstorming address to the PLP faithful last night.

Little did they know that he was actually battling a nasty bug that left him hoarse and looking drained as he answered press questions straight afterwards.

As he kicked off the biggest three days of the PLP calendar — three days shy of the anniversary of his own election — there was a distinct pre-election buzz in the air. The auditorium of the flagship Bermuda Institute was as hot under the glaring spotlights as the pre-poll gossip and speculation.

Introducing the party leader, candidate for Devonshire East Neville Tyrrell remarked: "We expect this to be a very exciting delegates' conference. Every day is closer to the next election."

And he told Dr. Brown the audience was all ears.

"There are certain things we want to hear and something in particular we want to hear!" he urged.–But, it turned out — despite reeling off a list of achievements so lengthy that Mr. Tyrrell suggested candidates should campaign armed with a printed copy — the big announcement will have to wait for another day.