Finance Minister Paula Cox yesterday launched her leadership bid in front of a large crowd of supporting Cabinet Ministers and well-known Progressive Labour Party figures.

The hot favourite to succeed Premier Ewart Brown when his term ends in October, Ms Cox vowed to return the PLP to the dizzying heights of its historic election victory of 1998.

And she pledged to "heal some of the divisions and move forward" after Dr. Brown's reign concludes with what many believe will be her coronation.

Flanked by six Cabinet members, two more senators, two former premiers and two more backbenchers, she told a press conference at the Arboretum: "Together, we will transform Bermuda into a place of greater opportunity, harmony and social progress, with a team of Ministers and parliamentarians who will be responsive to your needs and who will never forget that we are the people's servants."

Her speech mainly focused on how the PLP can recapture the buzz she noted has faded since it swept to power, and paying tribute to some of the heroes of the past.

With a campaign slogan "Moving Forward Together", Ms Cox released a platform containing 12 objectives:

• educating every child for future work, career and life success;

• creating a framework for access to good jobs and better wages;

• strengthening public safety and security with community and civic engagement;

• bolstering tourism and international business by improving the Island's regulatory framework and welcoming foreign investment;

• providing affordable and safe housing;

• encouraging environmentally-friendly products and services;

• using public-private partnerships to develop and invest in locally-owned businesses;

• promoting family and community-friendly policies and programmes;

• promoting local artists, entertainers and national sports;

• improving the integrity of governance;

• advancing quality of life for seniors;

• continuing to provide affordable health care.

Ms Cox told the media: "People are aching for another wave of change following the high of 1998. This is normal. Familiarity can sometimes get dull, even in the most dynamic of relationships.

"So this next wave of PLP Government has to bring not just substance with style, we have to recapture some of the dizzying heights of the November 1998 aura. This we will do. We will reconnect and we will need all hands on deck youth and experience, wisdom and wit and energy."

The Minister has clear backing from at least ten of the PLP's parliamentary group; backbencher Terry Lister is supported by a number of backbenchers; while much of third contender Dale Butler's popularity stems from outside the PLP.

Senior party members likely to vote at October's delegates conference are said to firmly back Ms Cox partly because she's been regarded as a leader-in-waiting for years.

Her supporters yesterday also pointed to her integrity, track record in several Ministerial roles and "quiet strength" during difficult times.

Health Minister Walter Roban told The Royal Gazette yesterday's turnout of more than 100 party members reflected the high regard for Ms Cox within the PLP. Asked what quality makes her a good leader, Mr. Roban replied: "Her strength, which at times seems quiet, but I can assure you is overwhelming when she applies it. I have seen it."

He said she had been forceful over policies such as municipality reform and term limits, and had weathered the global economic storm as Finance Minister. Education Minister Elvin James pointed to her integrity and intelligence, adding: "She has an interest for all in the community, not just certain people."

Telecommunications Minister Michael Scott said Ms Cox shows a commitment to continuing the PLP's social agenda.

And former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith, whose opinion is still said to carry plenty of influence behind the scenes, backed Ms Cox because of her integrity and track record.

"I think she's the most capable among all of the candidates," said Dame Jennifer. Following a warm-up from saxophonist Shine Hayward,

Senator Walton Brown kicked off the press conference by pointing to Ms Cox's "quiet strength, keen intellectual sensibility and principled determination".

Works Minister Derrick Burgess, Attorney General Kim Wilson, Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield, former Premier Alex Scott, backbenchers Patrice Minors and Wayne Furbert and Senator Marc Bean were also in attendance.