Progressive Labour Party MPs are plotting a special delegates’ conference with the aim of ousting Marc Bean, according to party sources.

David Burt, the deputy leader, emerged as a strong candidate for the leadership role should the politicians, who quit the Shadow Cabinet, succeed in forcing an official challenge to Mr Bean.

The breakaway faction is said to be confident it could secure the support of 12 branches, which according to the party constitution is required for a special delegates’ conference.

Possible leadership contenders include Kim Wilson, who many have seen as a healthy contrast to Mr Bean’s radical style; Walton Brown, who unsuccessfully challenged Mr Bean at a previous leadership contest; Zane DeSilva, who has denied his interest in the position; and Michael Weeks, who has taken over the portfolios of health and community affairs in the new Shadow Cabinet.

However, well-placed sources have named Mr Burt, the Shadow Minister of Finance, as the most probable option.

Mr Burt is said to have likely found favour with delegates by staying loyal to Mr Bean while his colleagues walked out.

One source, who asked not to be named, also gave details on the fallout within the party — claiming that 11 MPs had expressed concern over Mr Bean’s leadership, with much of the impetus for change coming from “the grass roots level of party supporters”.

Remarks made towards the former One Bermuda Alliance senator Toni Daniels, and Mr Bean’s impromptu references to giving ganja tea to his young daughter, were also contributory factors. Mr Bean is said to have met with breakaway MPs and mediators, and at one stage was able to partially mollify the disenchanted members.

“There was a tentative reconciliation,” the source said. “People were leaning towards some sort of truce, at least for a period of time.”

However, tensions continued to escalate, with Mr Bean’s handling of the Opposition’s Reply to the Throne Speech, in which he is said to have included items that members agreed should be left out, described as the final straw for many.

On December 3, Mr Bean announced a reshuffled and drastically reduced Shadow Cabinet.

Mr DeSilva, Derrick Burgess, Ms Wilson, Mr Brown, Wayne Furbert, Rolfe Commissiong and Glenn Blakeney were all missing from that list.

It is claimed that they had quit the Shadow Cabinet before the announcement.