First and second-time voters will hold the key to General Election victory, Opposition leader Jennifer Smith told the party faithful last night.

Ms Smith said that surveys commissioned by the Progressive Labour Party from pollster Walton Brown showed the Opposition seven points ahead of the ruling United Bermuda Party.

But she told the PLP's annual delegates' conference: "Our survey also shows that voter turnout will be the key to our election victory.'' She warned the PLP's annual delegates conference, however: "Our survey results show that only 66 to 74 percent of our strongest group of supporters -- those between the ages of 18 and 24 -- intend to vote.'' The party poll claims the PLP holds 40 percent of registered voters who intend to vote, compared to 33 percent for the UBP.

And Ms Smith urged delegates at the party's Alaska Hall HQ to hammer home the importance of using the vote -- particularly to the younger members of the electorate.

She said: "I want all young people to know that their vote counts -- it can be the difference between winning and losing.'' And Ms Smith stressed the importance of unity -- as well as keeping party affairs out of the news.

She said: "As PLP members, you're going to be put to the test. We must approach the election as a party united. We must zealously guard against losing that unity.'' Ms Smith added: "Remember, now is not the time to break rank, to demonstrate your knowledge of party affairs by discussing campaign strategy with the news media.'' And she gave a taste of the likely contents of the party's long-awaited election platform -- family values.

Ms Smith said some voters were asking if there was a difference between the PLP and the UBP "with the UBP's new-found social conscience.'' But she insisted that the PLP grew up from "the grassroots community'' and was in touch with "that part of the electorate who are most likely to be the victims of bad Government policy.'' Ms Smith said the PLP election platform would be based on "a commitment to social justice and a family-based social order.'' She added: "We cannot begin to tackle the problems of crime and anti-social behaviour without creating programmes to help build strong families.

"Strong families are the cornerstone of a cohesive society and of strong communities.'' Youth vote is the key And she added the breakdown in law and order was linked to a failing sense of community and lack of faith in the family unity.

Ms Smith said: "If we want anything more than a superficial discussion on crime and its causes, we cannot ignore the importance of the family.'' This year's annual conference, which opened last night, is an election year -- with both the leadership and the deputy leadership of the party up for grabs.

But -- with the deadline for nominations today -- conference chairman Marie Richards last night confirmed no-one had yet come forward to challenge for the two top jobs.

And Ms Richards said: "You might find somebody that optimistic -- but I doubt it.''