The National Liberal Party yesterday unveiled its battle plan for the next General Election.

And party chairman Charles Jeffers said the NLP was committed to a smaller Parliament and the abolition of double seat constituencies.

And he said Cabinet members at least should become full-time politicians.

He said: "We maintain that we are the most over-governed Country in the world.'' Bermuda currently has 20 constituencies with two MPs in each for a population of less than 60,000.

Mr. Jeffers said: "We should have 30 to 32 MPs and the Cabinet should be full-time -- many are almost working full-time already.'' And he said the double seat system meant a popular candidate could carry weaker ones, which was not in the best interests of the Country.

Mr. Jeffers said: "People should row their own boats and win on their own merits, not someone else's.'' And the workshop also called for fixed term periods in office of four years.

Mr. Jeffers was speaking after a weekend workshop on the best way forward for the NLP.

And it was decided the NLP will campaign on the slogan "You don't have to go with the status quo.'' Mr. Jeffers said around 20 people turned out for the meeting -- more than had been expected.

He said: "We had young people, old people, men and women, black and white, and from all over the Island.

"We have been told for a long time there is no room for a third party -- we don't feel that's true and talking to people proves that.'' And he called for Bermudians living and studying overseas to be allowed to vote in the last constituency they lived in.'' Mr. Jeffers said: "We are encouraging our young people to work and study abroad to gain qualifications and experience.

"They are the generation we are trying to prepare for, but they have no say.'' He added: "We feel we have the kind of programme Bermuda needs. But it doesn't matter how a few people on the executive feel, it's the people of Bermuda.

Mr. Jeffers said the workshop also favoured a return to elected parish vestries, rather than the current system of appointments to Parish Councils.

He added the workshop was in favour of Independence for Bermuda -- although it was agreed that other more pressing problems should take precedence.

The NLP was founded by expelled PLP members in the mid-1980s. Their last MP, Gilbert Darrell, lost his Hamilton East seat in the 1993 General Election.

Among the other recommendations were a four- to five-year economic plan, to be reviewed regularly.

Open hearings and public debate on some budget items before they are presented to Parliament.

Cutbacks in Government spending by "natural attrition and retraining programmes'' was recommended.

On social issues, the NLP wants to see training programmes to teach young parents how to bring up children, with the churches and community groups taking a lead role, but with some Government finance.

The three-section plan also calls for parents to be held legally accountable for their children's actions.

Mr. Jeffers said the two suggestions would help cut down on social problems and the crime rate.

And the NLP is calling for as many adults as possible to assume their own financial responsibilities.

The report on the workshop adds that tourism should remain the number one industry, while international business should be boosted.

Mr. Jeffers said: "Because tourism was going along so well for many years, Government did not keep up with the trends and failed to watch what was going on in the market.

"We don't want over-regulation of international companies -- but we must keep a watching brief on the situation and if we see changes, let's be in the forefront of that change before we see a fall-off in the number of international companies.'' Mr. Jeffers added that the workshop has also drawn up a fund-raising programme and potential Parliamentary candidates for the next election are being pursued.