The high cost of tickets — and a rejection of Premier Ewart Brown's "Americanised" leadership style — are said to be the reason behind a string of Progressive Labour Party absences at Saturday night's gala.

Government MPs missing from the Premier's glamorous Farewell Gala reception included some of his most critical colleagues from the past couple of years, Wayne Perinchief, Randy Horton, Alex Scott and Ashfield DeVent.

Many party members are said to have been put off by the $500 price tag for the star-studded Fairmont Southampton bash which included performances by Gladys Knight, Star Jones, Toni Robinson and Gene Steede.

But a number of well-placed sources said some MPs didn't want to join in with the glitzy celebrations they say have been a trademark of the Premier's tenure — and distanced him from the PLP's grassroots.

"Not everybody can just dig into their pocket and find $500 for a ticket for an event like that," one party member who didn't attend told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"Backbenchers generally have to struggle to make money. Some of them find it difficult to get work because they're politicians or can't work on Fridays. Maybe they couldn't afford to go."

That source said the Premier's style also failed to appeal to everyone.

"Some of them would have been tired of the glitz and glamour of it all. It's more of that Americanised style of politics," said the party member.

"A lot of people didn't support that style and would be happy to see him go — without wanting to cheer him off."

One of the absentees, Mr. Perinchief, would not comment at length, but told this newspaper he had other things to do on Saturday night. "I just chose not to go," said Mr. Perinchief.

Backbencher Dale Butler and Whip Lovitta Foggo are both overseas, while other absentees including Mr. Horton, Mr. Scott and Mr. DeVent could not be reached for comment.

MPs in attendance among the 550 capacity audience included Ministers Michael Scott, Derrick Burgess, Paula Cox, Walter Roban, Glenn Blakeney, Zane DeSilva and Neletha Butterfield, and backbenchers Dame Jennifer Smith, Patrice Minors, Terry Lister, Walter Lister, Wayne Furbert and Michael Weeks.

Terry Lister, who famously led calls for the Premier to resign a year ago, explained he and Dr. Brown had always got on well on a personal level.