Opposition leader Michael Dunkley has questioned whether the Progressive Labour Party was about to mislead voters in a second successive election after former leader Alex Scott said a close vote could see Premier Ewart Brown being dumped.

It comes a month after Dr. Brown himself raised the leadership question by urging colleagues to save any challenge until after the election.

Hours after the 2003 election win, 11 MPs, including Dr. Brown, rebelled against Premier Jennifer Smith and forced her out.

In the ensuing leadership fight Dr. Brown told delegates the rebel faction "had to mislead you".

Yesterday Alex Scott was quoted in the Bermuda Sun saying a narrow win could see Dr. Brown being pushed aside.

He said: "Depending on how close the vote is, it is entirely possible we will have to review our policies and review the personalities and the roles they play."

And he urged PLP voters disillusioned with Dr. Brown not to abandon the party, adding that they did not know what was around the corner.

Responding last night United Bermuda Party leader Mr. Dunkley said: "It appears the PLP leadership is once again gearing up to mislead the people.

"Senior members are on record saying a vote for the PLP is not a vote for the PLP as it stands today.

"Then who exactly are people voting for on December 18? What will a PLP vote mean? If it is not Ewart Brown and his style of leadership and governing, then who, then what?

"This must be a concern for any voter who wants his vote to mean what he wants it to mean. In our view, the PLP are disrespecting voters."

And former Tourism Cabinet Minister Renee Webb described Mr. Scott's comments as bizarre.

She told The Royal Gazette: "I think it's dangerous for a former leader to be implying that you are going into an election with a current leader and you might possibly change them after the election result."

She said a group had plotted before the 2003 election to remove Jennifer Smith once it was over.

"The different thing is it's out in the open now.

"He's basically saying that there is a real possibility but in any case it is dangerous to go into the election telling the electorate — 'Hey, we are not that happy with him either but if we win we are going to take him out later.' What is that about? That is not giving the electorate any comfort I don't think.

"You would think the former leader would be supporting the current leader going in to the election. They are bizarre comments."

She said Dr. Brown's precarious position and the risky gamble being taken by Mr. Dunkley in fighting a PLP-held seat made for interesting times in Bermuda. "You have one leader who there seems to be some disquiet about and another leader who possibly could not win his seat. The way things are going the country could possibly see two changes of leader fast after the election."

Mr. Scott had said Dr. Brown would be in jeopardy if the result was tight but Miss Webb pointed out Jennifer Smith had led the PLP to a comfortable 22-14 seat victory only to be dumped by the rebel faction.

Mr. Scott's outspoken statement follows comments made by Ms Webb herself who said recently that Dr. Brown's declining popularity could cost the party the election while former MP Trevor Woolridge had called on him to resign because his loss of credibility was damaging the party and country.

Two weeks ago Deputy Premier Paula Cox predicted Premier Ewart Brown would be safe in his job after the election, despite criticism from prominent party supporters.

But she added: "I am not taking into account any other variables of how the election results are."

And she appeared to lend credence to rumours there had been a failed plot to remove Dr. Brown when she said: "But I don't think right now there is any present intention to change leader but I don't get invited to the meetings.

"I don't know who holds the meetings but they certainly don't invite me. I think the Premier sent out the note (the e-mail) — I was abroad at the time — in reaction to some meetings."

PLP candidate Walter Roban, who is standing in the safe Pembroke East seat, said the Premier had his support.

Asked if that would continue if the PLP lost seats Mr. Roban said he didn't think that would happen.

Probed on whether the PLP-voting public could be confident Ewart Brown would remain leader in the immediate aftermath he said: "The party is behind its leader. I can't make it any more clear.

"That's what I believe, until any such time as there is anything different, I am firmly behind the current leader. The party elected that leader and I have no interest in considering anything else.

"I don't know anyone who is contemplating or planning any other activity."

Quizzed about Ms Cox's comments he said: "Perhaps she knows something I don't.

"She is a member of the Cabinet and MP so perhaps knows more than I do but I think it was clear she was alluding to certain activities that may have been going on but I don't believe those activities have any relevance at this point.

"I am not hearing any rumblings of any sort among members who I am dealing with.

"I firmly believe that Dr. Brown is leader now and will be the leader after the election and I don't think there is any evidence to suggest anything else.

"And if there is it's from people who don't have the courage to come out and express their displeasure or view. People keep hiding behind being an anonymous source."

Cabinet Minister Dale Butler said no one was bombarding him with complaints about Dr. Brown.

"I don't know what other people are hearing. Maybe it is different in other areas of the island, maybe they are hiding their feelings, I don't know. All I can say is I trust the voters to tell me the truth."

Asked if things would change if it was a tight result with the PLP losing seats, Mr. Butler said: "There has been no discussion at this point about a change in leadership. I would be surprised if we had such discussions as took place the last time.

"Obviously in politics things can change but I don't at this point in time predict any change of that nature."

Asked if the electorate could be assured there would be no post-poll switch he said: "I don't know. In politics anything can happen."

Probed on whether another leadership change, after the polls closed, would damage the party's credibility he said: "I haven't had a chance to think about that."

Paget East PLP candidate Davida Morris said Mr. Scott's comments were his alone. She added: "One person is not the party."

Asked if the public could be confident Dr. Brown would be in his post after the election she said: "In all reality nobody can do that. No one can predict the future."

PLP hopeful Marc Bean, who is standing in Southampton West Central, said the leadership issue wasn't something candidates were contemplating.

But he said leadership changes were not unusual in Bermuda politics and parties were free to switch.

"Nothing can be assured, but the good thing is the PLP is a grass roots organisation and lets the people have a say in who is going to lead them."

He said in the UBP only the MPs got to decide but his party had a wider franchise.