Progressive Labour Party Shadow Minister Trevor Woolridge in the Community and Cultural Affairs portfolio.

Party leader Jennifer Smith is likely to announce a replacement for Mr.

Woolridge -- who quit the party whip to sit as an Independent earlier this week -- by the end of the party conference, which ends on Saturday.

And Ms Cox -- elected to late leader Frederick Wade's Devonshire North seat almost exactly a year ago -- is understood to be front-runner for a leg up into the Shadow Cabinet.

Ms Smith last night declined to comment on who she had in mind for the job -- but confirmed the announcement would be made within the next two days. Ms Cox could not be contacted.

The news came as Progressive Labour Party members in disgraced MP Trevor Woolridge's constituency met for the first time after his bombshell resignation letter to party leader Jennifer Smith.

A branch member said last night: "We always thought that this would probably be the best way to go. I don't think it came as a big surprise.

"He was a good MP and he has served the people well -- it's an unfortunate set of circumstances.

"But in the best interests of the party he has done the right thing. When you're caught up in this kind of thing, it's very difficult.'' On whether Mr. Woolridge should have acted sooner, the branch member said: "That was always a decision for him.'' He added that the branch had "no problem'' with being represented by an Independent MP after the electorate voted PLP -- and did not rule out Mr.

Woolridge's return to the fold if cleared on appeal.

He said: "We hated to lose him -- he's welcome in the branch at any time, but that's a decision he would have to make.'' The branch has already started the hunt for a successor to the former AME preacher, convicted earlier this month of sexually assaulting a parishioner.

The branch member confirmed several people were interested, but declined to name any of them.

Mr. Woolridge resigned his Shadow Cabinet post and the PLP whip on Monday to sit as an Independent until the next General Election.

There are only three PLP MPs who do not hold a Shadow Cabinet post -- and Ms Smith could take the opportunity to promote sharp and highly-regarded Ms Cox.

Giving Ms Cox a Shadow portfolio would avoid a re-shuffle in the run-up to a General Election, likely to be held next spring.

And it would also be an opportunity to attempt to restore some of the ground lost with women voters -- the majority in Bermuda -- over the party's lack of action in the face of the Woolridge affair.

Ms Smith -- who initially backed Mr. Woolridge -- drew fire for her defence of him.

The party was accused of "negating the conviction'' and of ignoring the rights of his victim.

Mr. Woolridge, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted by private prosecution of sexually assaulting the woman -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- but not sentenced pending an appeal to Supreme Court.

In the letter to Ms Smith, Mr. Woolridge indicated that he would not offer himself as a PLP candidate at the next General Election.

But -- if his appeal is successful -- that does not rule out the possibility of him offering himself to the electorate as an Independent candidate or even a return to the PLP.

Mr. Woolridge earlier said he had released the letter and had no further comment to make.

And Renee Webb, Mr. Woolridge's running mate in Hamilton East, yesterday declined to comment on his shock move.

But party insiders rubbished TV reports that one reason for Mr. Woolridge's decision to quit was influenced by a feud with Ms Webb.