He has rejected suggestions the WA party follow its eastern states counterparts and merge with the Liberal party.

“There is no circumstance under which the Nationals WA will merge with the Liberals and I am disappointed the Queensland and Federal Nationals are attempting to foist their views on us,” Mr Grylls said.

“We in WA have the option of disaffiliating with the Federal Nationals if they continue to undermine our stance.”

Mr Grylls said electoral redistribution had fundamentally changed the political landscape in Western Australia, leaving 48 seats in the narrow coastal strip from Mindarie to Margaret River and just 11 for the rest of WA.

“If we don’t fight for communities in those 11 regional seats, who will?” he said.

“The Nationals WA are committed to standing alone to represent country people at the next State election and we are not prepared to be pawns at major party room meetings dominated by metropolitan politicians.”

Mr Grylls said the Queensland merger with the Liberals was a local decision and he rejected that State’s view that all other states should follow suit.

“We have a clear agenda in Western Australia and that is to try to win the balance of power and force the government of the day to implement policies that deliver a better deal for regional Western Australia,” he said.

“Our cornerstone policy is Royalties for Regions, under which we will attempt to ensure that 25 per cent of all mining and petroleum royalties collected by the State are reinvested in regional community projects.

“In 2008-09 an estimated $2.7 billion will flow into State coffers and we intend to make sure that $675 million of it will be returned to the regions, over and above current budgeted expenditure.”

Mr Grylls said The Nationals WA had increased its support base by deciding two years ago to contest the next election as a stand-alone entity and not enter into coalition with either major party either before or after the poll.