Just days before the Progressive Labour Party delegates conference, insiders say both Terry Lister and Randy Horton are poised to challenge Premier Ewart Brown's leadership.

Delegates are also discussing Sports Minister Elvin James as alternatives as disillusion with Dr. Brown grows.

One PLP source told The Royal Gazette that Dr. Brown's support was now limited to a handful of branches. He said: "The delegates, except for LaVerne Furbert, have lost confidence."

However former Cabinet Minister Arthur Hodgson, who backs Dr. Brown, doubts he will be challenged.

Asked about a possible bid by Mr. Lister he said: "Every time they have a conference there's always activity."

He said criticism of the Premier was limited. "In any event he's only been there two years."

Some PLP members believe Mr. Lister and Mr. Horton could cancel each other out as their support mainly came from the western parishes.

But that could open up the floor to other nominations and pave the way for Deputy Premier Paula Cox to make a challenge.

Former Premier Alex Scott said: "I think it would be a loss to Bermuda if it did not have the opportunity to have Ms Cox – if not this time – as Premier.

"I believe if the delegates chose to have a review of the leadership the Minister does have robust support both within and without the party."

But he could not comment on whether he thought a challenge was likely. Anti-Brown PLP insiders say he has lost support over the money wasted on consultants and personal aggrandisement at the taxpayer's expense.

One said attempts to broker a deal with the Premier for him to step down gracefully had failed and a fight was on the cards.

One MP, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Premier was losing support among MPs and the Cabinet and pointed out that both Mr. Lister, who is Telecommunications Minister, and Mr. Horton, who is Education Minister, had been former supporters.

Mr. Lister would not comment while Mr. Horton was off the island. While the PLP elects its leaders every four years, with the next contest not due until 2010, delegates can force a vote if they have sufficient numbers. The party's annual delegates conference begins on Wednesday.

"If he was to use the party machinery to delay or divert the delegates that would be the straw that broke the camel's back. You would have a real move to have him resign," said a source.

One Randy Horton supporter said Terry Lister was not getting much backing as he was seen as being just as arrogant as Dr. Brown. "It's a different kind of arrogance – kind of 'holier than thou'. Terry and Ewart both think they know better than the people they represent.

"The difference is Terry thinks he represents Bermudians, everyone thinks Ewart represents Americans."

The Horton supporter said his candidate was seen as a team player, able to build a consensus Cabinet, but people believed he carried baggage, so they were also looking at other candidates. "That's why El James' name keeps coming up."

And the Horton supporter admitted the lack of momentum for the possible challengers to Dr. Brown also meant Ms Cox could come through the middle, even though she was showing no leadership ability by not coming forward.

Earlier this month she said she was not planning to challenge – but she did not rule out a leadership bid. Her poll ratings have been on the rise with 75 percent of people having a favourable impression compared to just 18 percent for Premier Brown.

One MP said: "It means he's lost the support of about 50 percent of the hardcore PLP vote."

However the talk of leadership changes did not impress Hamilton West branch chairman Melvin Alick who said he didn't think it likely. He said: "I haven't detected anything – nothing serious from anyone who I think is of consequence. I think most of the rumblings are from a few disgruntled people."

Asked why Dr. Brown's poll results were so low he said: "I don't understand it, I have no idea. I think Ewart is doing a good job and understands some of the real issues facing this country, they are difficult and require some real decisions.

"Ewart is probably the only one with the determination to properly execute that. It is a critical time for Bermuda, not just the economy but we have some serious issues. Despite what people might say about his style he is the only one who is prepared to tackle the imbalance in the economy and the race problem which is at the heart of everything, even though it is very subtle.

"In terms of the national spirit Bermuda is too divided, trying to create a good national spirit is key."