The PLP has accused the UBP of hypocrisy in allowing their platform presentation video to be played on Government TV, despite their pledge to shut the channel down. The Cabinet Office announced yesterday afternoon: "As a courtesy to the electorate and with the agreement of all participants, CITV will air both party platforms beginning at 8 p.m. this evening.

"This programming will air continually in eight hour cycles with the last broadcast at 8 p.m. Monday."

Shortly afterwards, the PLP sent out a press release saying: "The UBP has repeatedly called for Government TV to be 'shut down' and they encouraged their supporters to boycott the station."

It quoted a "bewildered" PLP Chairman David Burt as saying: "If they really believe that Government TV is not in the country's best interest, why are they providing content?

"It's hypocritical. They are presenting their platform on CITV, but their platform says CITV should be shut down."

He added: "A Progressive Labour Party Government created the Government-funded television station to educate Bermudians on the country's heritage and culture and to pass along information deemed important to the public."

The UBP has pledged to scrap CITV, labelling it costly, unnecessary and liable to be used for political propaganda.

Hitting back over the PLP allegations, a United Bermuda Party spokesman said: "We appreciated and responded to the request from CITV for programming on the United Bermuda Party platform for three reasons.

"First, it is Bermudian tax dollars paying for this station. While we think there are better uses for our tax dollars such as tax cuts for working people or a Police station in Warwick, Government has chosen to use our funds for this purpose and Bermudians should at least get some benefit from that decision while it stands.

"Second, we will seize any opportunity to debate (with) the PLP on the issues.

"Since Ewart Brown has avoided a debate, this appears to be one of the few opportunities voters will have for a head-to-head comparison.

"Lastly, any effort to redirect the debate back towards real issues that affect real peoples lives and away from the fear-mongering and personal attacks that have characterised Dr. Brown's campaign to date will be a public service to all Bermudians."