Premier Ewart Brown is to host a major party fundraising event ? with top packages priced as high as $25,000.

Labelled the Premier's Gala Weekend, the event is being advertised on the PLP website and will be held over four days in January at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

Rooms have already been reserved at the hotel and information on the website also lists contact information for airlines including British Airways, Air Canada and American Airlines.

The move comes in the wake of a promise by Dr. Brown to raise more money for the next election campaign and as Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert said the UBP would spend less money on electioneering.

Four packages are being advertised on the PLP website ? the most expensive is the platinum package and $25,000 gets the holder ten VIP tickets to a rhythm and blues concert, ten tickets to a gala reception and black tie ball plus two tickets for a golf tournament or lunch for two at "First Lady Wanda's Luncheon".

Also included are two tickets for a 'special surprise event' with the Premier plus one seat at the 'Leader's Roundtable Breakfast' hosted by the Premier and photo opportunities with Dr. Brown.

Gold packages, priced at $10,000, get fewer tickets for the same events while those lashing out $1,000 for the silver package get one ticket to the Premier's gala reception plus a ticket for the black tie ball.

There is also an 'A la Carte' section where tickets can be bought for individual events.

The fundraising weekend is slated to run from Friday January 12 to Monday January 15 with most events at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. According to the PLP website, people in the US can contact Harriette Ecton at Events Management Group if they have questions or require more information.

Dr. Brown won a storm of applause in his speech to party delegates who selected him as party leader last month when he pledged to raise a lot of money for the forthcoming election campaign.

Last night Mr. Furbert said he believed the election would come within the next six months, but he said his party would spend less this time around.

He said: "I will spend it more wisely. Last time it was a little bit over the top. I think the PLP will spend a lot of money.

"We need to focus on our message. I don't mind telling you that we have basically kicked off our campaign."

The Opposition will start its TV adverts this week.

And he said the Opposition would be watching for any misuse of Government communication channels for party political purpose.

He said Alex Scott had gone on TV as Premier to address the nation just ahead of the crucial PLP delegates vote which dumped him from office.

"I don't think that was paid for by the PLP but there was no doubt he was speaking to the delegates."