Backbencher Dale Butler heads into Thursday night's Progressive Labour Party leadership battle declaring: "If they don't accept me, no problem."

Mr. Butler, considered a long-shot with the PLP delegates even though he argues he has the support of the Country, says people will be surprised by his radical approach if he gets the nod over Paula Cox and Terry Lister.

He has vowed to consult with the public to plot a way forward for Bermuda, and has made a string of social pledges.

And he says if he doesn't win, he'd consider a role as deputy, or a return to Cabinet, possibly in the Tourism Ministry vacated by outgoing Premier Ewart Brown.

From day one the former Culture Minister has said he would save his campaigning for the delegates at this week's annual conference, while Ms Cox has held meetings with branches and Mr. Lister has embarked on a series of town hall get-togethers.

Last Friday Mr. Butler said he still hadn't even been given a list of delegates.

"I'm very discouraged and disappointed. We were promised a list from October 15," Mr. Butler told The Royal Gazette.

"I have not received that list. Now we are told we might not be getting it until Wednesday.

"Be that as it may, I'm not really bothered. I have a long track record since I joined the party at 16. I believe I have the support of the majority of the Country. It remains to be seen whether I can say the same for the delegates.

"If they don't accept me, no problem. If they don't nominate me for the deputyship, no problem. If they don't want me in the Cabinet, no problem."

Last week, the Bermuda Sun reported some within the PLP had labelled Mr. Butler's approach haphazard and half-hearted.

"They are absolutely wrong," Mr. Butler said of his critics.

"The previous way, you just showed up that night and made a ten-minute speech. I have had two press releases, not a campaign like Paula Cox talking to the branches.

"They both panicked when I made a statement about ordering a mobylette like Sir John Sharpe. They know I'm seen as the guy who kept the grassroots. They went into panic and having meetings.

"I don't have the budget of either of them. I have spent my own money and I don't have a penny left.

"They can keep writing me off. I understand the PLP and how it works. They've never saluted any of my greatest accomplishments. Over the past 40 years they rarely attend anything I do. I have been very discouraged. When I honoured [the late Senator and PLP chairman] Charles Bean, hardly anyone turned up. What more do you want me to do?"

He said of his speech on the night: "If I come across too passionate, the delegates will report I was too emotional. I will play it straight down the middle, stick to the issues of Team Bermuda in my platform.

"I think people will be surprised at my very radical approach. I will keep the Opposition in the palm of my hand. They will be consulted all the time. This is the plan. The people will know how to send their ideas. They will know my five-year plan and they will get the feeling they are a part of it."

Mr. Butler said if favourite Ms Cox wins he could be a natural fit as her deputy, a role Derrick Burgess and Randy Horton are also said to be interested in.

"If they nominate me, my name will go forward," said Mr. Butler. "While people are saying that Minister Cox is not affable or open — although they're wrong to say that — that's my strength.

"I would consider the deputyship. I would serve in the Cabinet if I'm not the Premier. You could take Tourism and Culture together.

"I have no background in Tourism, but I had no background in Social Rehabilitation either. You are surrounded by people. I have been having meetings since January and a lot of people are ready to join. You don't have to know a lot, you just have to be good at making decisions."

Education, which he has been overlooked for many times in the past despite his background as a school principal, is the only Cabinet role he would not accept, he said.