Marc Bean last night won an overwhelming endorsement to continue as leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

He was challenged by Shaow External Affairs Minister Walton Brown, but party delegates voted 85-9 for Mr Bean to continue as leader.

Meanwhile, Shadow Finance Minister David Burt has replaced Derrick Burgess as the Deputy Leader of the PLP, securing an emphatic win over fellow contender, Shadow Community Minister Michael Weeks.

Mr Bean’s victory was quickly apparent in the volume of cheers and applause with which his speech was received by the delegates gathered at the Devonshire Recreation Club.

The Opposition head was bullish on going “toe to toe” with the ruling One Bermuda Alliance, and made reference to a contentious document being circulated within the OBA ranks, of his conversation with Government MP Nandi Outerbridge. However, Mr Bean declined to discuss details of the speech after his victory.

“We are the party that has become the most effective Opposition in decades in this country, and it’s because of the team spirit that has been cultivated,” Mr Bean said, vowing to continue strengthening the party and improving its outreach with Bermuda’s people — as well as holding the OBA Government to account.

The Warwick South Central MP added that Premier Michael Dunkley must be “turning in his sleep”, declaring: “We will be Government in the next election.”

With former Deputy Leader Mr Burgess stepping down from his post, the results of last night’s conference were seen by many as a further changing of the old guard for the PLP — a change beginning with Mr Bean’s ascension to leader in December, 2012.

Mr Bean disagreed, however, saying there had been “no change from old to new — as a party, we represent the community”.

The composition of the PLP showed continuity, he said, with “no generation gap”.

“There is no way we will disregard the wisdom of our elders,” he said.

Accepting Mr Bean’s victory, Mr Brown conceded the delegates had voted “emphatically” in the incumbent leader’s favour.

“My next step is to be a strong member of the PLP, work feverishly for the interests of the people of Bermuda, and continue to fight on all the issues that we have to fight on,” he said.

He said he’d heard of the document alluded to by Mr Bean, but did not discuss its details.

“I respect the process and I respect the decision,” the Pembroke Central MP said. “We will move on from there.”

Emerging from the packed hall, Mr Burt said his first order of business would be to follow the direction of the party leader, and work to ensure that “we become the next Government”.

Last night’s contest, which saw representatives from Opposition branches around the Island voting on party leaders and executive, lasted deep into the night.

It was an open contest, in accordance with the party’s constitution, after Mr Bean completed the term of former Premier Paula Cox whom he replaced shortly after the OBA’s 2012 election victory.