Paula Cox's political pedigree and ability to command respect clinched the Progressive Labour Party leadership for her, according to her party colleagues.

Ms Cox won a landslide victory over Terry Lister and Dale Butler after delivering a unifying speech that touched a chord with the voting delegates.

Her fellow politicians then declared their confidence that she and Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess will prove to be a good team.

"It was anticipated. The party went for people who have shown long loyalty. Ms Cox in particular stands on the legacy of her father before her," said backbencher Wayne Perinchief.

Ms Cox is the daughter of the late Finance Minister Eugene Cox, and has credited him with inspiring her to stand for leader.

Mr. Perinchief added: "She will be a very solid leader, guaranteed to bring unity again."

He believes she and Mr. Burgess will work well together.

"They've been in Cabinet together. Mr. Burgess has what I would consider a hard and firm leadership and Ms Cox will be a softer side of the two, but together they will be a good team," he explained.

"Mr. Burgess has great respect and sincere feeling for Ms Cox as a person and leader, I know, and I've seen the synergy between the two of them."

Mr. Perinchief was a vocal critic of former Premier Ewart Brown from the backbenches. While he would now like to return to Cabinet, he said: "I think this back bench will be fully supportive of this leadership. I don't anticipate the disconnect that occurred before."

Fellow backbencher Ashfield DeVent who like Mr. Perinchief was critical of Dr. Brown would not reveal how he voted, but said he was happy with the result. "The delegates basically have spoken.

"Both leader and deputy leader won clearly, so it's clear that they have the support of the majority of the delegates, as well as the MPs.

"All we can look for from here on is for the party to go from strength to strength."

He said that in her speech, Ms Cox appealed to the party to remember its roots and to "realise where we come from, the legacy that the party is based on and to continue to support that legacy".

Mr. DeVent said all three contenders gave "really good speeches", adding: "I think that's a testament to the strength within the PLP. All spoke to the legacy, all spoke to what the party has achieved in the last ten years and they also all admitted that we have lots of work to do. The party is so strong that anyone could have won and we could have been just as strong a party."

Asked what swung the vote in Ms Cox's favour, Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney said: "I think her pedigree, her integrity, her loyalty to the party. Her forthrightness, I think, speaks volumes without anything having to be said. And as a result of that track record I think the comfort level based on her ability and her previous responsibilities over the years guaranteed the support for her to win."

Minister without Portfolio Zane DeSilva, who publicly backed Ms Cox before last night's vote, said: "I'm just really, really happy, the way it's turned out. I'm really happy for Minister Cox and really happy for her deputy too. Democracy has taken place. It's for us to move forward as a team."

He said the meeting was a typical PLP one: "Lots of conversation, lots of opinion, good speeches."

Mr. DeSilva added: "I though Paula's (speech) was right on. Terry certainly touched on some things that concern us all."

He said of his chances of keeping his Cabinet post: "Our new Premier keeps her cards close to her chest. But I'm here to serve."

Health Minister Walter Roban was nominated for deputy leader but lost out in the first round, after getting 15 votes. He voted for Mr. Burgess in the second round.

Of the night's two winners, he said: "They bring fabulous strength to the table. They will lead our party well and lead our Country well."

He added: "Paula Cox and Minister Burgess will be an excellent team. They bring two strengths he has a long history and record of working for the people, that she has as well. He is a trade unionist and a hard worker for the people and the Country. I look forward to working with them in any capacity in the future."

Backbencher Randy Horton, who lost out in his bid for the deputy leadership, said: "Hey, democracy has played its way out and I'm pleased to see that we had a number of candidates coming forward for the deputy leadership and for the leadership as well. The delegates have spoken and I think all we need now is to move forward strong and hold together."

He said of Ms Cox: "She has the respect of the community and of the delegates and she's a good person and good leader. Her speech spoke to hard work, that we have many challenges ahead of us and that we're going to work as a team."

Sen. Marc Bean said: "Each will bring their own strengths, and where there is a weakness, the other will serve as a bulwark for them so it will be strength to strength. I think Premier Cox is a very thoughtful person who listens and is very much a builder of unity. Both have very high work ethics and I think this our opportunity now as a party."