There was steady progress until 1983, when a noticeable slide began. In 1983, the party had to fight a snap general election. Once again, the party ran 40 candidates, contesting every seat. The PLP lost four seats in this election, gaining only 43.4% of the votes. Another snap general election was called in November 1985. A small, but determined PLP contested 18 of the 20 constituencies, fielding 30 candidates. The party had been gripped in the legacy of a severe split between a group led by veteran parliamentarian Gilbert Darrell and those loyal to Party Leader Lois Browne-Evans. This division resulted in a group being expelled from the party. The party split had affected the electorate which was reflected in the party's further loss of seats and only 31% of the votes. The party won only seven seats. Lois Browne-Evans stepped down as Party Leader. At the special Delegates Conference, convened 72 hours after the election, Deputy Leader, L. Frederick Wade became the PLP's fourth Party Leader with Walter Roberts as the new Deputy Leader. Wade, committed the party to a period of rebuilding and the reversal experienced in the previous elections. A rejuvenated PLP was ready for the general election of 1989. The party contested all 20 constituencies and regained eight seats to increase the number of PLP representatives to 15 and an increase of 37% of the votes cast. The process of rebuilding continued with the party regaining the confidence of its supporters and building new bridges with the electorate. Wade also began making inroads with the business community. At the 1993 general election, called for October 1993, Wade led a well prepared PLP. The Party contested all 20 constituencies and gained three seats to increase the number of PLP representatives to 18. In the election the party once again approached the threshold of victory with 46.7% of the votes cast. Recent history In 1996 Jennifer Meredith Smith succeeded to the leadership of the PLP upon the death of L. Frederick Wade. Smith immediately set about establishing her mandate for the party with an agenda to get the organisation ready for the next general election, due to be held no later than October 1998. Under her leadership the party continued working to rebuild and strengthen the party apparatus. In addition, the PLP entered into an aggressive fundraising campaign, expanding its appeal to not only traditional supporters but also