PLP leadership candidate Terry Lister has called for Kim Swan to avoid taking "cheap political shots" in the build-up to November's PLP election.

The Opposition leader had criticised the three PLP candidates Mr. Lister, Finance Minister Paula Cox and backbencher Dale Butler for their involvement in "major PLP failings".

Mr. Lister said all of the candidates were focused on the concerns of Bermuda

"The PLP's record of looking after the people's business speaks for itself," he said. "The PLP's ability to multitask is well-established and is presently being demonstrated, as the Opposition leader himself notes, in the separate and collective public statements and platform initiatives set out addressing the current challenges facing Bermuda."

He continued: "Accordingly, I respectfully request that Mr. Swan, though mindful of our transparent, inclusive and hugely democratic leadership race, make better use of his time and intellectual effort in being the best Opposition that he and his party can be in these trying times.

"Both the PLP and Bermuda will thank him tremendously for that endeavour."

In a Friday statement. Mr. Swan praised the ideals of the proposals being put forward by the candidates but said: "These proposals speak to major PLP failings and make all of the candidates essentially cogs of a bigger PLP wheel."

Despite the criticism, Mr. Lister said he would not enter into a war of words with Mr. Swan. "The Lister election campaign will not be drawn into a futile exchange with Mr. Swan, nor be further distracted from its task and valuable message and contribution for the people of Bermuda," he stated.

Ms Cox has not commented on Mr. Swan's criticism however Mr. Butler has said: "As an astute Bermudian, we will take your wide-ranging views into consideration as we reflect on action that is needed after all is said and done."