party platform, Opposition leader Mr. Frederick Wade said yesterday.

The party will also be stepping up its TV advertising and holding a run of public meetings.

Mr. Wade said the platform would be released on Monday and inserted in The Royal Gazette on Tuesday.

It would also be distributed by candidates as they were out canvassing. "This release is a day earlier than we normally do it,'' he said.

There had been "much ado'' about the party not releasing a platform sooner in the campaign.

But the UBP, who released a platform last Wednesday, had not produced one for previous elections, said Mr. Wade.

PLP candidates would hold public meetings on Monday, Thursday and Friday, he said.

"Our campaign will be in overdrive by Monday of next week.

"To those who complain about our campaign, it's our campaign and we run it as we see fit.'' Commentators should not worry about the quality of the colour in the party's TV spots, Mr. Wade added.

Instead, he said, they should concentrate on the substance of PLP speeches.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wade used yesterday's PLP press conference to blast the UBP for making empty promises on crime.

He attacked the ruling party for cutting Police funding and then promising at election time to give the force a boost.

"It is this type of politicking which characterises the UBP and makes them unfit to govern,'' said the PLP chief.

Contradictions made UBP election promises of "little value'', he said. On Tuesday Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon. Sir John Sharpe revealed Police were considering stepping up drug patrols.

He said he and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, his Warwick West running mate, had lobbied the Police Commissioner on the issue.

Also in this campaign, he has revealed plans to restore the number of parish constables to the level before budget cuts.

Mr. Wade said yesterday: "It is rather ironic that earlier this year Sir John Sharpe ordered massive cutbacks in funding of the Police service and yesterday the Hon. Mr. Quinton Edness is promising to provide a more beefed-up Police presence.

"Earlier this year they were prepared to ignore the increase in crime and put the safety of the community at a low priority.

"With the increase in crime and abuse to women and children at the time, the PLP deplored these cutbacks and called for the placement of parish constables, a redeployment of Police.

"Of what value is the UBP's new promise to provide increased Police protection on this election eve?'' Mr. Wade also attacked Thursday's UBP statements about plans to replace Pembroke dump with a park.

"In this year's budget the Pembroke dump project was given very low priority.

"There was no sign of the massive funding called for to produce the facility that the UBP now promise.'' PLP candidates in St. George's North have challenged their UBP rivals to a public debate.

Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith and fellow PLP candidate Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams threw down the gauntlet to UBP MP Mr. Phillip Smith and running mate Mr. Michael Jones.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones could not be contacted for comment yesterday. But UBP executive officer Mr. Joe Gibbons said it was current party policy not to take part in debates but to spend campaign time "on the doorstep''.

Shadow Environment Minister Mr. Julian Hall will be MC at the meeting, which will discuss "issues facing St. George's and Bermuda''.

St. George's South candidate Mr. Arthur Pitcher will also be present.

The Hamilton Parish PLP candidates will hold a meeting on Monday, and Southampton hopefuls will address voters on Friday.

OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION