Jubilant Jennifer Smith last night saluted her triumph in a three-way PLP leadership fight with a ringing vow.

She pledged the Opposition would fight to keep alive L. Frederick Wade's dream of general election victory.

"I am looking forward to seeing it realised,'' she declared to The Royal Gazette moments after taking over the party reins.

Ms Smith comfortably beat off challenges from Shadow Labour Minister Alex Scott and Shadow Finance Minister Eugene Cox.

The move astonished political pundits who had predicted an uncontested election at the Progressive Labour Party's Alaska Hall headquarters.

The new leader was chosen by PLP MPs and Senators and delegates to the party's general conference -- some 50 people.

Ms Smith, MP for St. George's North, won 26 votes, Mr. Scott 18 and Mr. Cox five.

Party spokesman Paula Cox labelled Ms Smith's victory "overwhelming''.

Other party members, however, said the count was closer than had been expected.

The deputy leadership contest was won by Mr. Scott, who got 25 votes in a four-way fight.

Trailing him was Sen. Terry Lister -- tipped by many as a future leader -- who picked up 15 votes.

Shadow Youth Minister Nelson Bascome received seven votes, while nobody backed Shadow Community Affairs Minister Trevor Woolridge.

The positions will come up for grabs again at the party's November conference.

Last night's count followed the death last week of Mr. Wade, aged 57.

Ms Smith, who has held the party's Education portfolio, stood in as Acting Opposition Leader while Mr. Wade was sick. She had been Deputy Leader.

At about 5.40 p.m., Opposition MPs, Senators, party delegates and officials began arriving at the door of the Court Street HQ, on which had been pinned a newspaper tribute and colour picture of Mr. Wade.

The meeting kicked off at about 6 p.m, continuing for three-and-a-half hours.

One party member told The Royal Gazette : "There have been a lot of fine party constitutional matters discussed. It is not just a case of voting. The whole process takes time.'' PLP Secretary General Walter Roban announced the results at 9.30 p.m.

He said Ms Smith's nomination had been made by the St. George's branch and seconded by Paget.

"This was an extremely vital conference...the members were all united in that they will stand behind Ms Smith and Mr. Scott.'' Ms Smith, who worked for Mr. Scott's advertising agency, Scott Craft, and was a journalist on the now-defunct Bermuda Times , appeared buoyant after the count.

"It has been extremely gratifying to have the confidence of my colleagues and party members tonight.

"I am quite aware of the challenge that awaits me and the tradition, if you will, that lies before me.

"But with Mr. Scott's help I believe we are equal to the challenge.

"I think everyone feels keen to meet the challenge for Mr. Wade's memory.'' Ms Smith told The Royal Gazette she was undaunted by the prospect of running again for leadership in November.

"We are all here as long as the delegates want us.'' She said all energies would now be directed to winning the next general election.

This was the key challenge facing her, as well as the looming by-election in Mr. Wade's Devonshire North constituency.

Fund-raising and the party banquet were other matters on the agenda.

"I am prepared for an exciting challenge,'' said Ms Smith, who has also worked in the education system.

Ms Smith added she would be meeting Mr. Scott today, along with other MPs and Senators to map out a course.

It was too early to talk about changes in the new team -- but none were expected at this stage, she said.

"I have one goal -- to take this party to victory and becoming the Government.'' Ms Smith said she was glad to have been challenged for the leadership.

"I welcomed that. I wouldn't like to have just been confirmed as leader and thought of as just a caretaker.

"I feel I have a strong mandate now that we had a contest.'' Asked why he had thrown his hat into the ring, Mr. Scott answered with a smile: "It seemed like a good idea at the time.'' Mr. Scott said the party were now fully behind Ms Smith, and members held a fundamental respect for one another.

Mr. Cox gave a similar response.

"I had been approached by a number of people about running and I thought I would like to push the party forward and so I thought `why not?'.

"I thought I could make a contribution in some areas, such as organisation, and my branch wanted me to run and so I did.

"I thought it was an interesting evening. I am throwing my full support behind our new leader and deputy. They know it.'' Sen. Lister, considered a politician with appeal to middle class black Bermudians, said he was "obviously disappointed'' not to have won the Deputy Leader contest.

Asked why he had run, he replied: "It was a question of balance and ensuring the party is represented by a large representative group. I hope I am not preaching to the converted.'' Premier David Saul last night reacted with a shrug when hearing who his new adversary in the House of Assembly would be.

"It was expected.'' National Liberal Party chairman Charles Jeffers said he was surprised Ms Smith had been challenged.

But he added: "We cannot spend our time being too concerned about who the PLP decide they want to be their leader. Our concern is what we are going to be doing.'' THE PLP VOTES LEADER Jennifer Smith 26 Alex Scott 18 Eugene Cox 5 DEPUTY LEADER Alex Scott 25 Terry Lister 15 Nelson Bascome 7 Trevor Woolridge 0