As the final months of Ewart Brown's Premiership tick away, the Progressive Labour Party seems destined to remain split down the middle over its controversial leader until the bitter end.

That's assuming of course that 2010 really does spell the end for Dr. Brown as Premier of Bermuda.

For every Brownite that insists the Premier will stick to his word and stand down in October this year, there's another PLP member who suspects he's merely playing a clever game which could see him cling to power for many years to come.

But several close to the Premier are adamant he knows the time to step aside is rapidly approaching — if for no other reason than he'll have hell to pay from his wife if he doesn't.

According to many party sources, that would trigger a likely coronation for Paula Cox, although Terry Lister is said to be keen, with other possibilities including Dale Butler, Derrick Burgess, Elvin James and Randy Horton.

LaVerne Furbert, Dr. Brown's cousin and one of his most vociferous supporters, told The Royal Gazette: "I respect the Premier's desire to step down in October.

"He has worked very hard and has suffered much abuse during his tenure, from the media, the general public and from members of the PLP.

"I've never known Dr. Brown to be a masochist, hence I understand his desire for a more peaceful life.

"I will say though, almost on a daily basis I get calls from people asking me if I can convince Dr. Brown to stay on as leader of the party, but I know that Dr. Brown says what he means and means what he says."

That view was backed up by three other party members close to the Premier who declined to have their comments published.

But some of the anti-Brown camp fear a flyer campaign asking him to stay will gather enough momentum for the Premier to say he's changed his mind for the good of the Country.

They think he only announced he would step down as PLP leader at the end of his four-year term as a ploy to get his critics off his back.

One party member pointed to the Premier's infamous "we had to mislead you" line and said: "I think some believe him, but most people take most of what he says with a grain of salt from his past record."

Many MPs have told this newspaper they think Dr. Brown intends going nowhere, while Mr. Butler — speaking in an interview in which he frequently praised Dr. Brown — told this newspaper: "On the one hand we are hoping that things have been settled with regards to Dr. Brown saying he was definitely going to step down.

"Then all of a sudden we see all these flyers going around and we hear he's not."

Mr. Butler said he would be counting down how long the Premier has left and providing an update every time he makes a speech.

He probably won't be the only one keeping Dr. Brown on his toes for the next ten months.