Finance Minister Paula Cox says she doesn't plan to challenge Premier Ewart Brown in October – but she also refused to rule out a change of heart.

Senior Progressive Labour Party insiders have claimed Ms Cox could make a leadership bid at the annual Progressive Labour Party delegates conference next month following a decline in Premier Brown's popularity both in his party and among the public.

A June poll showed only three out of ten voters had a favourable opinion of Ewart Brown compared to seven out of ten giving favourable ratings to Deputy Leader Paula Cox.

At the weekend Ms Cox said she would be interested in the top job, but only under the right circumstances.

And some PLP members also believed she put out a coded message at the Speaker's dinner recently as she quoted from a poem on the need for integrity in leadership.

However she told The Royal Gazette: "I don't think there is any plan for me to run at the conference.

"I think if I did I would not be sitting as a Minister in Cabinet.

"I think my comments have been consistent throughout, but certainly I wouldn't mistake ethical ambition for lack of ambition. But I certainly didn't put out a time frame on seeking the leadership."

Asked if that meant she would definitely not run in October she said: "No, I don't believe in absolutes."

Asked if other people should consider a challenge she said: "I think the Premier and I were both elected in 2006 for a four-year term.

"I think particularly now, more than ever, there is a need for stability.

"That is not just economic stability but political stability and continuity."

PLP leaders are selected by party delegates with the next mandated contest not due until 2010 under rules stipulating they happen every four years.

However a special delegates conference can be forced if there is enough support.

Ms Cox is believed to have a large support base amongst delegates while other names floated as possible leadership challengers have included Randy Horton, Terry Lister and Dale Butler.

This week party members spoke of frustration over Dr. Brown's cosy relationship with white building contractors while black small businessmen struggled and there is also unhappiness about his handling of union issues which ended up with thousands marching on Parliament in the summer.