The Progressive Labour Party elects a new chairman tonight, as the final item on the agenda of last year’s delegates conference is taken up.But high drama could unfold if supporters of the old guard go ahead with plans to move against the party leader Marc Bean.Tonight’s meeting is a continuation of the last general membership conference held shortly before the general election last year. The party agreed to delay the election of officers until after the election to ensure continuity for the election campaign.All positions, except those of the Leader and Deputy Leader, are open to be contested.Sources indicate that a conflict between the old guard of the party and the new has been brewing since Mr Bean was elected leader at a special delegates conference to replace Paula Cox after the general election.And an effort may be made by some members of the old guard to unseat Mr Bean — despite it not being a leadership election.Older members of the party have felt disrespected by Mr Bean and his supporters who openly called for someone younger to lead the party into the future.A flyer handed out by lawyer Marc Daniels to the delegates at December’s conference angered some who interpreted it as being disrespectful to the party elders.Mr Daniels argued that having lost the election the party should look to younger, experienced members to lead it.We must ask ourselves, what have they done in the last five years that has inspired us as a party, a community and a people? What will they do in the next three months to three years to inspire us, and others in the build-up to the next election? What will they say or deliver in order to affect the Country’s current mood and perception?” Mr Daniels’s flyer asked.But he also praised the older group as “great public servants who have lead the way in terms of carrying the flame of our tradition” and served the party well.He continued: “But they have also been around for a long time, shifting between Ministries, positions and posts. Do you consider that they represent a new energy and passion that will carry us forward? While Dennis Lister, Randy Horton, Michael Scott, Terry Lister and Derrick Burgess all bring valuable skills to our table and have a great effect on our base, do you consider them to be the ones to inspire our youth, and demonstrate that we are willing to learn the lessons and avoid the mistakes?”Mr Bean is said to be aware of the rumblings of discontent among some of the more experienced MPs but is unconcerned as he received a strong majority of the votes from the delegates at the leadership contest.Mr Bean was elected to serve out Ms Cox’s term, which ends in October 2014 when another special delegates conference is due to be held.One party insider who did not want to be named said that Mr Bean’s detractors were only a few in number but they were hoping to raise a complaint that he is not qualified to be leader because he has not paid his dues.PLP MPs are supposed to pay a tenth of their parliamentary salaries to the party, according to the party Constitution.But a lot of the party’s MPs are believed to have not lived up to that pledge and are in arrears while others had their debts forgiven.And, while some believe that any attempt to remove Mr Bean at tonight’s meeting has little chance of succeeding, any showdown could hamper the party’s performance in Parliament and deepen a rift between the old and new guard.If Mr Bean’s detractors do succeed, the PLP will have to elect a new leader within seven days.It is understood that former PLP MP Arthur Hodgson, brother of social justice activist Eva Hodgson, is the brains behind the plans to unseat Mr Bean.But with strong support among the delegates, the plotters may be the ones to be sanctioned as the delegates’ conference could exercise its powers as the party’s ultimate authority and exempt Mr Bean from any rules he may have violated.Mr Bean could not be contacted for comment today.Mr Horton and Mr Burgess are also said to be upset at Mr Bean’s ascension to the leadership.Party delegates were incensed when it emerged that their parliamentarians had met separately in advance of the leadership election meeting in December to agree on a choice for leader.Under the PLP Constitution only MPs can be party leader, but the delegates and MPs select the leader in joint session.The parliamentary group had favoured Mr Lister and, although seven MPs were nominated, five declined. Mr Bean won by a landslide winning 111 votes against Mr Lister’s 35.Party chairman Anthony Santucci has indicated that he will not be standing for re-election. Tonight’s meeting begins at 7pm at Devonshire Recreation Club.