Underperforming MPs face getting sacked by their constituents halfway through their terms under proposed changes to Progressive Labour Party rules. Local party members would be able to carry out midterm assessments on their representatives as part of an upgrading of the PLP's constitution aimed at improving politicians' standards.

Any MPs deemed not up to scratch would then sit out the remainder of their term in the House of Assembly before being replaced by a more popular candidate at the next General Election.

Reformists say the move would mean long-serving MPs in safe seats could no longer take their positions for granted, while allowing fresh, talented individuals into the political arena.

But some in the PLP fear it is part of a drive to remove Premier Ewart Brown's backbench critics and replace them with younger politicians who would give the Premier an easier ride in the House of Assembly.

Senator Walton Brown, chairman of the PLP's constitution committee, argues Dr. Brown has had no say in the proposed amendments, which go to a vote at a delegates conference on Monday, January 18.

Sen. Brown spoke to The Royal Gazette about the plans after MPs and party members approached us with their concerns.

"There has to be some way MPs are committed to delivering public service," said Sen. Brown, who hopes to run as a candidate himself at the next election.

"There's a lot of anecdotal evidence about the performance or lack of performance of Members of Parliament, that's for sure.If they are not performing, one of the proposals, if supported by the party, would allow for the branches to have midterm assessments of their representatives.

"This would likely be a rare occurrence but it would have the effect, we believe, of ensuring MPs remain focused on addressing the needs of their constituents. I think that's an important part of the democratic system. You should always be accountable to the people."

But one MP warned: "I would just be concerned it might be a move on the part of a few to remove any form of opposition that the Premier has seen.

"It's clear that he wants yes men. He's surrounded himself with quite a few yes men and he doesn't take kindly to opposition."

Currently, there is no codification of how candidates are chosen, leading to accusations of political interference in some selections, such as when Randy Horton was picked ahead of Marc Bean despite the latter getting the overwhelming backing of the Southampton West branch before the last election.

Some PLP members add that veteran representatives have kept their safe seat virtually unchallenged for many years.

Under the proposed changes, the PLP would create a list of approved candidates across the Country, each of whom has to meet specific criteria such as a background in public service.

Once approved, candidates would be able to put themselves forward in the constituency of their choice, with local branch members voting over who they want to represent them.

Another proposed change would see the PLP's 36 branches across the Country replaced by nine parishes.

However, some MPs fear this would lead to a centralisation of power, with one saying: "Many people see that as a move to bring further control to one person: Ewart Brown.

"If you reduce the number of branches, of course it will be easier for people to lobby to have those people that they want to represent them.

"The move would be to try to bring in MPs who would go along with what the leadership wants. If we do that, and all follow one voice, it speaks less to a democracy.

"If it were really up to the Premier, regardless of whether that person didn't have community support, they would be more likely to get the jobs."

Another MP warned against the reduction of branches, saying: "You would just need to get control of the executive of one parish and you could affect all those constituents that are in all those branches."

And another MP said: "It's always been a party of the people. It doesn't allow a few people or one influential leader to take full control.

"Once they begin to centralise the power, it can be dangerous."

Sen. Brown argued the branch reshuffle is an administrative move to improve efficiency and shut inactive branches such as Paget East, and that candidate selection will still take place at the same local level as before.

Dr. Brown has long maintained he is going to stand down at the end of his current term in October this year, but several colleagues claim these are mere words to get his critics off his back, and believe he secretly hopes to stay on.

On the suggestion the constitution is being amended to favour the Premier, Sen. Brown said: "These proposals were put together by the constitution committee.

"The Premier has not been in contact with a single member of my committee with respect to these changes.

"We have not discussed these changes with him; we did not send them to him for his vetting.

"This is an attempt to strengthen the party. People who choose to make ad hominem arguments reflect their own weaknesses."