Despite the majority of his MPs signing a motion calling for him to go Wayne Furbert was still clinging to the United Bermuda Party leadership last night.

But UBP senior statesman Quinton Edness said with the numbers against him Mr. Furbert’s position was untenable.

Seven of the party’s 13 MPs signed a motion calling for a confidence vote which was lodged with the party chairman on Thursday.

It follows accusations Mr. Furbert mishandled party splits as the UBP slid further behind in the polls to a resurgent PLP under Ewart Brown.

Most Opposition MPs were again refusing to talk yesterday as they spent the day huddled in meetings trying to flesh out a solution to the impasse which could drag into next week and beyond.

Michael Dunkley and Patricia Gordon-Pamplin have been touted as front runners in any leadership battle although work commitments make the latter unlikely to push herself forward.

Tourism spokesman David Dodwell has also been suggested while Maxwell Burgess and Senator Bob Richards might also make a run.

Mr. Furbert returned a call yesterday but would not say whether he was fighting on or falling on his sword.

He said: “When I speak, you guys will know about it.”

Former UBP Cabinet Minister Quinton Edness, one of the few in the party to speak on the record about this issue, indicated Mr. Furbert might be better to bow out now.

He said: “If you don’t have the numbers to be able to go on in an internal vote I would resign. That’s my advice.

“Get out and let someone else who has the majority of colleagues follow on.”

With seven against Mr. Furbert, Mr. Edness said: “It’s a fait accompli.

“I feel sorry for the position he’s in. I hope change will be handled in a dignified manner.”

Mr. Edness discounted rumours that Mr. Furbert would likely quit his seat and force a risky by-election in vulnerable Hamilton West if he is forced out.

Mr. Edness said: “If he resigned he would move to the backbenches and might even get a front bench shadow position. He would stay in the UBP.”

However one party insider said: “The situation is emotional for one particular individual and how he conducts himself.”

One MP questioned why those backing the coup had not done it weeks ago when the issue was put to the party’s caucus by Max Burgess.

Most of the names on the motion calling for a confidence vote this week had come out in support of Mr. Furbert in January.

They were Deputy Leader Michael Dunkley, David Dodwell, Suzann Roberts-Holshouser and Louise Jackson while Grant Gibbons and Jon Brunson, who also signed the confidence motion, had kept quiet last time.

“Wayne Furbert held a meeting — should he go or stay?” said the MP. “They came out and told the country they are behind him.

“It certainly doesn’t look very healthy. What has he done since then to say he should be gone now?”

The MP, who had not previously supported Mr. Furbert, said it would be better for party colleagues to rally round the leader with an election so close.

Mr. Edness said it was normal for parties to squabble amongst themselves from time to time.

But some sources said the UBP had been grappling with leadership problems for well over two years with the campaign to remove Grant Gibbons taking a year to finally reach boiling point in January 2006.

And now there is a fresh bid to remove his replacement Mr. Furbert who has been in the job just 14 months.

Asked if the UBP knew what they were doing Mr. Edness said: “Of course they know what they are doing! These things don’t happen over a week or a month.”

He said the Conservative Party in the UK had been through several leaders in a bid to find a winning formula.

Asked if the UBP was taking too long to deal with its problems Mr. Edness said: “I don’t think it’s a long time, maybe two or three years is not a long time when dealing with a political organisation.”

Probed on why the party had not dealt with the leadership issue when Maxwell Burgess had urged it to in January Mr. Edness said: “They didn’t take a decision then because people don’t just jump for a leader just like that.

“Any political party has a degree of loyalty. They wanted to give Wayne every chance. You don’t just kick him out because a couple of people have resigned.”

Political scientist Walton Brown said he does not think Mr. Furbert would last much longer and he said the election of Ewart Brown as PLP leader had highlighted Mr. Furbert’s weaknesses.

“I think he never really had the required support in the party.”

He said the UBP made a mistake by thinking it had to elect a black leader to win votes.

He pointed out the party had won elections with white leaders and he said Mr. Dunkley would have to be a frontrunner.

“He’s articulate and has no fear and speaks to the issues in a direct manner. He would be someone to provide the strong leadership the UBP is seeking.”