Jennifer Smith is acclaimed to the Progressive Labour Party's top job or if she faces a challenge from the floor, Deputy Leader Alex Scott yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

"Should the delegates put my name forward and it gets sufficient support I would choose to listen,'' he said. "The delegates are supreme. It's their day and they must be heard. I could just as easily face a challenge for my job as well.'' Gathering this week at the PLP's Court Street headquarters, delegates to the party's 29th Convention are in an upbeat mood while a sense of mission and opportunity has infused their ranks.

Most here expect this could be the final such gathering before a general election is called.

Firing the troops in her opening remarks, Ms Smith told party workers they have to shake off their Opposition mentality and emerge from the convention focused and ready to govern.

It's a message she has taken outside party cloisters as well, telling a gathering from the Chartered Institute of Bankers recently that it's no longer a question of "if,'' only "when'' the PLP takes power.

Nelson Bascome, an erstwhile challenger for the PLP crown, told The Royal Gazette he was happy with Ms Smith's performance so far and had no plans to challenge her leadership.

"She's shaken things up a bit and I think she's been doing a great job. "I'm happy with the status quo and I have no plans to stand for the leadership. I don't think anyone will challenge her. At least no-one's lobbied me yet,'' he said.

"She's put in a lot of effort into her job and has done a lot of good work,'' agreed Mr. Scott, but added the final judgement on Ms Smith's leadership rests with the delegates.

"If there's anything that would get me to stand for the leadership,'' he said, "it would be to bring the party closer together, to make sure that all voices in our party are heard.'' Mr. Scott however played down the suggestion of division between the PLP's old and new guards.

"There are no factions, yet we must always review and be sure all feel ownership of the party.

"But I don't think we should shy away from bringing in our younger, university trained graduates into the decision-making process,'' he added.

And whatever the outcome of tomorrow night's proceedings, added Mr. Scott, the party will close ranks behind whoever is chosen to lead.