A weekend of confrontations and backroom bartering has left the United Bermuda Party no nearer to solving its leadership woes.

Seven of the party's 13 MPs have signed a motion calling for a vote of confidence in leader Wayne Furbert.

But the beleaguered Mr. Furbert, in the job just 14 months, has refused to step down and faced his critics in a fraught meeting with UBP chiefs on Friday night.

David Dodwell, the spokesman for the seven challengers, is believed to have revealed that poor private polls and canvassing returns had sparked the move to axe Mr. Furbert.

One source said: "The party is not drawing the black vote and he is not matching up well against Ewart Brown."

But an emotional Mr. Furbert is said to have rounded on the rebels saying he had never been given total support from the beginning with fundraising efforts not coming off and former leader Grant Gibbons refusing to join his Shadow Cabinet.

"He said everybody is pointing the finger but they weren't prepared to work with him from the beginning. It's an ugly affair."

Deputy leader Michael Dunkley is still looking the most likely to replace Mr. Furbert but one insider said former leader Dr. Gibbons might even launch a comeback bid.

Other potential leaders are Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Mr. Dodwell, Maxwell Burgess and Senator Bob Richards.

Dr. Gibbons was forced out in the last UBP upheaval which had revealed deep splits when Wayne Furbert and Maxwell Burgess had gone head to head to be the successor.

That process had seen four MPs initially refuse to back either candidate.

This time around it has emerged that some MPs weren't even approached by the seven MPs who signed the motion.

"I think Wayne knows the end is near and is trying to figure out a way to throw a spanner in the works," said one source.

Another insider said whoever took over would need strong diplomatic skills to bring the party together with an election bearing down on it.

"This group is trying to set things right. It is a gamble. You could p*ss off Wayne — he has a lot of support out there. In fact in a weird way Wayne could be kingmaker."

However, another source said Mr. Furbert held no sway within the group and the only vote he could effectively wield, after his inevitable resignation, was his own.

Once again MPs were refusing to comment last night.

United Bermuda Party spokesman Don Grearson said: "Wayne Furbert is still the leader."

He said the no confidence motion would likely be put early this week.

"Everybody's cards have been played. There is not a lot that can be said which will change anybody's mind."