The scene around her was frantic but Paula Cox was a picture of serenity as she made her way out of Devonshire Rec last night after being crowned the new leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

There was something distinctly regal — but not remotely showy — about the way she glided past the clamouring photographers, reporters and well-wishers in her stately navy blue dress and green and gold sash to make her way to the press tent just after 10 p.m.

There, calmly, as if it was the last thing in the world to get worked up about, she uttered her first public statement as the Premier-elect of Bermuda.

"I feel pleased and also aware that we have a lot of work to do," she said.

It was the kind of understated remark that party colleagues say has made her so popular with delegates as she has privately canvassed them in recent weeks.

Earlier though, she had revealed some of the fire in her belly in a ten-minute speech to the grassroots of the PLP that won loud applause.

Ms Cox was the first of the three contenders to address the delegates just before 8 p.m. at a party conference that was tightly managed with a strong security presence to keep out the media.

Waiting reporters strained to hear snatches of all three speeches as they were repeatedly ordered away from the yellow and green Rec building and herded back to the outside press tent by burly bouncers, with threats that they would be removed from the premises.

The extreme measures to keep proceedings secret were somewhat bewildering but also provided a little light entertainment, particularly when one overzealous guard moved a large potted plant in front of the glass conference hall doors to prevent any illicit peeping.

Thankfully, a large screen set up on the first floor of the building for PLP members meant journalists could see some of the action — albeit from a distance.

Ms Cox could be clearly heard several times, her voice rising as she passionately denounced any suggestion that the role of Premier was not a job for a woman. The comment seemed to please audience members, who clapped and cheered.

Dale Butler was up next, wearing a jaunty captain's hat as he talked of Bermuda needing someone to steer the ship.

The former Culture Minister — who ultimately won just two votes — was his usual animated self but the response from delegates was muted, as it was for Terry Lister.

Soon after 8.30 p.m., more heavy applause indicated that someone had won a clear victory — and no one waiting outside was very surprised to hear seconds later from party insiders that it was Ms Cox.

But there was further work to be done by delegates — choosing a deputy leader.

The big screen upstairs helped again as the media watched some of the votes being counted and saw Walter Roban and Randy Horton knocked out after the first round.

Derrick Burgess was the ultimate winner, gaining enough votes to see off Mr. Lister and Michael Weeks.

The former BIU leader joined Ms Cox on the stage for brief victory speeches before the pair made their way outside — to cheers, hugs, the flash of cameras and a barrage of questions.