Graeme Outerbridge, National Liberal Party (NLP) secretary general will be making his final bid for elective office during the coming general election. But he has yet to decide whether he will be running as an independent candidate or under the banner of the Island's third party.

The fate of the NLP is still to be decided, said Mr. Outerbridge. "Our chairperson (Dessaline Waldron) has not been available due to a family crisis we have not had a meeting to decide on the way forward," he said.

"We are nothing more than a pressure group as people recognise. We do not have a slate of candidates and I guess for the purposes of this election we are irrelevant." But he said, he will decide on his own participation in the election sometime within the week.

Running as an independent was a "definite possibility.

"I have to decide whether the support is there for me. I'm running for my (political) life at this point in time rather than a viable political entity."

Premier Jennifer Smith this week announced a July 24 poll date for the country's first single seat election. Mr. Outerbridge said he was not surprised by the date of the election and expected that the chances of independent candidates were good.

"I think they have as good a chance as any if they work hard and articulate what they stand for and what they hope to accomplish during the next sitting of Parliament.

"For me it's my last battle. I will not be running in any election if I'm unsuccessful," he said.

"Vote for the best person regardless of the political affiliation to represent your district," he said when asked his advice to voters.

"I think if you put in a good representative of your district, that person will carry a positive electoral force into the House as opposed to blind party allegiance."

Mr. Outerbridge would not say what district he wants to represent in the House.