The National Liberal Party failed to find a willing candidate for the Pembroke West by election.

But the party does plan to make an impact on the Boundaries Commission's deliberations on the redrawing of the electoral map.

NLP vice president Graeme Outerbridge explained that a number of people from within and outside the party were approached but turned down the opportunity.

“They were not interested in standing because of the nature of the short run up to the next general election... based on how I had done in the past we had little or no support in a safe UBP area,” he said.

“And having just contested another by election in Smiths south the party is concentrating on the Boundaries Commission submission and determining if it has a viable role in the next general election.”

The party believes that a single seat first past the post system with more evenly spread constituencies will improve their chances, said Mr. Outerbridge, when asked.

“Definitely we have been very supportive (of electoral reform proposals) for a considerable amount of time because of gerrymandering by the former UBP Government. Obviously because of our small share of the national vote first past the post does not help us much either and we see the possible constructive changes in balancing the electoral districts as a possible fresh script for election strategy.”

He said the party's participation in elections were made harder by the fact that they couldn't run in marginal constituencies.

“We've never been able to run in marginals because we were viewed as spoilers by the two main parties and that's always been our strategy - which made our role in past elections all that much harder.”

Mr. Outerbridge said the party would not be endorsing either of the two candidates nominated yesterday.

“Basically it would be unfair to show any kind of endorsement in this election in fairness to the two candidates vying for the seat. It's a clear cut choice between the two larger parties without us having a candidate involved,” he said. “And it's also very important to put aside personal disappointments so that the constituents can choose who they feel is best for themselves.”

He said he was not surprised that a willing candidate could not be found for his party.

“We only approached a handful. From the point of view of pulling somebody out of their constituency and putting them up as a sacrificial lamb - we felt it was more important to concentrate on more fundamental things within the party itself.”

Besides the Boundaries Commission submission the party is also gearing up for its annual general meeting in the spring.

Mr. Outerbridge clarified previous media reports that said the NLP had vowed to produce a candidate.

“We said we would attempt to find a candidate which we have done. We did not say we would have a candidate.”