Former Premier Dame Jennifer has brushed aside speculation the Progressive Labour Party wants to dump her as the candidate for St. George’s North.

And another senior party figure confirmed there was no challenge to Dame Jennifer’s position.

Claims that Premier Ewart Brown wanted her out were made in a newspaper article which ran yesterday.

Dame Jennifer said: “I have now had sight of the Bermuda Sun article which reads like a UBP wish list.”

She said the speculators will “therefore be greatly disappointed” to learn once again she is running.

Dame Jennifer said her branch chairman had already dismissed the rumour and she was actively canvassing.

One PLP source predicted she would hold the seat despite scraping in by just eight votes in 2003.

“From what I understand she will become the next Speaker. I think Stanley Lowe is going to retire,” said the source. Mr. Lowe could not be reached for comment.

Dame Jennifer is likely to face a tough challenge from well-known St. George’s figure Kenny Bascome.

But a PLP insider said: “I think she will hold the seat on a sympathy vote after they dumped her (as leader).”

The PLP have yet to officially unveil any candidates for the forthcoming election which must be held before the end of 2008.

But lawyer Charles Richardson, who famously rehabilitated himself after being jailed, is thought to be one of the names putting himself forward.

Mr. Richardson was called to the Bar in 2004 — two years after being released after serving seven years of a 15-year jail sentence for his part in the infamous Spinning Wheel nightclub shooting.

It’s believed he his bidding to fight the PLP’s corner in Hamilton South which the UBP’s Maxwell Burgess, who is retiring, held last time around by more than 100 votes.

However its thought Mr. Richardson might boost the PLP’s vote share by appealing to disaffected young black voters who normally don’t vote.

Ashfield DeVent conceded yesterday he is likely to face a challenge for his safe Pembroke seat from the Premier’s Chief of Staff Wayne Caines - despite the fact his branch nominated Mr. DeVent to stand again late last year.

But he said selection ultimately lies in the hands of a selection committee picked by central office.

Asked if it might be an uphill struggle now the party has shifted towards the Ewart Brown camp Mr. DeVent said: “It might well be.”

But Mr. DeVent said he hoped his Cabinet experience, his labour roots and the fact he lives in the area would tip the balance.

“When they had that fire the ash fell on my constituents’ roofs and it fell on my roof.”

Speaking about candidate selection generally Mr. DeVent again warned the party to beware of newcomers jumping on the PLP bandwagon now it looked destined for a third spell in office.

Recently it was revealed Jane Correia, a 43-year-old contracts administrator at Correia Construction, is looking for a seat just months after joining the party. Mr. DeVent said he didn’t see anything wrong with it but it was the voters who made the final decision.

And he added some PLP members were uncomfortable with people not coming from a labour background getting fast-tracked to top posts.

He said: “There might be some repercussions.”

Mr. DeVent said it was natural the party would move more towards the centre when in power but he said it was important the party didn’t lose sight of itself and its voters.

Still on the candidate selection theme it’s thought all the PLP’s West End MPs will stand again.

Walter Lister, who at 64 is one of the oldest MPs in the House, confirmed he wanted to stand again in Sandys South Central.

He said: “My letter has gone in to the selection committee putting my name forward.”

Dame Jennifer: I will be running again