One of Bermuda's most popular politicians, Dale Butler is pinning his hopes on a remarkable change of heart on a string of issues from Progressive Labour Party delegates.

Drawing much of his support from outside the governing party, the maverick backbencher's platform contains several ideas many predict will go down like a lead balloon with core PLP supporters.

These include:

• finding roles for United Bermuda Party figures such as Grant Gibbons and John Barritt in his administration;

• giving The Royal Gazette its advertising back if it stops printing anonymous letters;

• protecting people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation;

• offering term limit extensions to 20 percent of staff chosen by the business itself.

Mr. Butler also says he would be open to the press, appoint a green senator and a spiritual counsellor to Cabinet, combine the Tourism and Culture Ministries and let advocates lead the way on Independence.

And he plans to sign a memorandum of understanding with Puerto Rico so students could take part in exchange programmes.

Launching his campaign two months ago, Mr. Butler said he would also:

• set up an all boys' school and a commission to see which schools can be closed and converted into centres for youths, seniors and small businesses;

• develop a programme to help growing numbers of young people who have skills but can't find jobs;

• create an 'ideas council' which would monitor talk shows and contact people who call in with outside-the-box suggestions;

• target fathers who don't make their financial payments;

• build a new homeless shelter within his first two Budget periods;

• eliminate payroll tax for those earning under $65,000;

• implement the recommendations of the Mincy Report into young black males;

• set up a hotline for people who get frustrated at the small things that don't get done quickly;

l promote aquatics as a third national sport to appeal to a wider section of society than cricket and football.

He says he would save cash by reducing waste and spending in Government, cutting back on consultants, slashing salaries for the Premier and Ministers and adding no more free Government programmes.

He has pledged to set up a Whistleblowers' Act and investigate allegations of corruption; last Friday, he reflected on the Auditor General's damning report on the TCD overrun by writing on his Facebook page: "And now to read that report. The Butler administration will move immediately to rectify all concerns raised by the Auditor General and to ensure that Civil Service follow financial instructions.

"Ministers will be held accountable and if they fail they will be removed. The PLP was founded on solid standards and they MUST be upheld. The public trust is important so we have to spend their hard earned money wisely."

He has pledged a review of soaring national debt, and to set up a referendum bill on marijuana decriminalisation, Independence, conscription and gambling.

As part of a regeneration programme, he has promised to:

• develop an aggressive approach to help small businesses;

• release Rolfe Commissiong's report on club development and give more funding to clubs;

• offer shares in White Hill Field so it can be turned into a multi-purpose facility;

• respect the reports of Development Application Board's technical officers and let the courts say if decisions should be overruled;

• random drug testing for MPs;

• introduce a full-time entertainment show using talent like Gene Steede;

• give taxi drivers ambassador status.