The United Bermuda Party is threatening a boycott of live TV election debates between candidates.

But yesterday the Opposition taunted Government, claiming it was running scared.

Deputy PLP leader Mr. Walter Roberts said their rivals were ashamed of their "failed policies''.

But UBP chiefs claimed yesterday the election should be fought on the doorsteps.

And they stressed no decision had yet been taken on whether to enter UBP candidates into the fray of live TV.

If, however, Government maintains its stance it could jeopardise -- or reduce the impact of -- election programmes being lined up by VSB and ZBM.

VSB has offered free air time to allow the three party leaders to thrash out issues together.

PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade -- yesterday in Washington attending a Black Caucus meeting of Congress -- has accepted.

National Liberal Party leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell is also willing.

But Sir John has announced he would be considering the matter over the weekend.

VSB news director Mr. Chris Lodge said the programme would be based on similar debates in the US election.

Each candidate would be given time to answer questions, averting the danger of a "free-for-all''.

"The questions will not be given in advance, thus the leaders would have to think on their feet.

"That is very important in any debate such as this.'' But Mr. Lodge said it was unlikely the debate would go ahead without Sir John.

"We really want the three parties represented.'' Mr. Lodge said VSB was also planning to let new candidates air their views on the popular Shirley Dill show on Sunday.

"We plan a very lively election coverage,'' he stressed.

He added there would be fierce competition between VSB and ZBM during the run-up to the election.

ZBM, meanwhile, is planning a September 28 programme on TV 9 featuring women candidates.

The 60-minute show is the brainchild of the Women's Resource Centre.

And the aim is for the candidates to thrash out women's issues.

The NLP's Ms Cheryl Pooley and the PLP's Shadow Education Minister Ms Jennifer Smith have agreed to take part.

But it is uncertain whether Deputy Premier the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto will be joining them.

Party officials have told her to hold fire -- even though she wants to participate.

"I myself was feeling very feisty and was wanting to join the debate,'' Mrs.

Cartwright DeCouto said yesterday.

Mr. Rick Richardson, the deputy general manager of the Bermuda Broadcasting Company, said the show would go ahead with or without Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto.

On a possible face-off between the party leaders he said ZBM was not "actively pursuing'' the idea.

"We have not pursued it beyond opening talks,'' he said.

He added ZBM's News and Views programme on September 27 would also contain election coverage.

The United Bermuda Party's executive officer Mr. Joe Gibbons yesterday explained Government's stance on live debates.

It was felt the election should be decided on the doorsteps.

He said Government's campaign team was still deciding whether UBP candidates should enter debates over the airwaves.

"We don't want to commit ourselves because of the strategic position of the election.

"It is too early to say whether we would join live debates.'' OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION