Premiership hopeful Terry Lister unveiled plans to reduce the country's $1.2 billion debt burden last night, in the last of a series of town hall meetings.

The leadership candidate said capital spending would be cut and all Government projects would be reviewed to determine the need of moving them forward.

If elected he said he would carry out a complete review of Government spending and decide whether programmes established years ago were still effective and meeting the needs of the community.

Over the past seven weeks, Mr. Lister has spoken at locations around the Island on a variety of topics from crime to environment, sport to tourism.

Mr. Lister has spoken at locations around the Island on a variety of topics from crime to environment, sport to tourism.

At the final meeting, held last night at St. James Church in Somerset, the Progressive Labour Party MP discussed the future of Bermuda's economy.

Mr. Lister said the Island "must do (things) differently" and promised that, if elected, he would work closely with his Finance Minister to reduce the Island's debt and would order a review of the tax structure, which hasn't taken place in over a decade.

He said: "All revenue must be examined to ensure a surplus on the current account. In order to improve our financial position, Government's accounts receivables must be collected faster and more efficiently."

"Current practices will be evaluated and enhanced to achieve this end. As your leader, I will work with my Cabinet to ensure that every civil servant is accountable for his or her performance."

Mr. Lister is vying for the role of Premier, along with Finance Minister Paula Cox and MP Dale Butler. In past interviews Ms Cox has mentioned other plans to cut debt and defending Government's borrowing by saying the cash went towards vital programmes, such as education and health care.

According to Mr. Lister Government's current rate of borrowing was "not sustainable". He said future budgets would be designed with debt reduction in mind so as not to pass on this "burden" to future generations.

Bermuda must continue to operate as a top International Business centre and protect its strong relationships with US regulators, he said. The Island must also rebuild tourism by encouraging locals to get involved in the trade and reigniting that "Bermudian flavour".

"Throughout all of this we must create job, career and ownership opportunities for Bermudians. This is key.

"There is no question that many Bermudians' job performance was not as high as it could be during the 1990-2010 period, often this could be traced back to a feeling of disenfranchisement among Bermudian workers."

"As we move successfully into our future this feeling has to be replaced with one of hope and belief in one's own opportunity.

"We must ensure that as prosperity returns it carries the Bermudian with it as a full participant and not as merely a passenger. To achieve this, education and technical training must be embraced by all parties."

Mr. Lister was last night praised by audience members with one man saying: "Thank you for the political integrity, for taking your quest to the people of Bermuda. This is something the majority of us have been, not crying out for, but reaching out for. I think it is important as we are going through unchartered territory."

PLP delegates vote for their party leader on October 28.