The Voters' Rights Association has criticised Government for failing to engage in public debate with the UBP on issues affecting the Island.

VRA co-chairman Geoff Parker Sr. claimed the reason why the Premier turned down a televised 'Leaders Debate' with Opposition leader Michael Dunkley — "because Mr. Dunkley was not running in his constituency" — contradicted an earlier PLP refusal to hold constituency debates, due to them being "not part of the PLP campaign strategy".

Mr. Parker said: "That any party remains aloof from debating the issues is a disservice to every voter that holds democracy dear. Bermudian voters deserve more from the political parties and their candidates."

In a statement, he said: "The Voters' Rights Association approached the two major political parties several weeks ago offering to sponsor and facilitate a series of candidate debates in all 36 constituencies prior to the upcoming general election.

We felt it was important for voters of each constituency to hear the views of each candidate on constituency, national and international issues.

By putting questions and hearing answers on the many issues that affect their daily lives the voters would have had a better idea of whom they should vote for.

"After these constituency debates, the VRA intended to stage a 'Leaders Debate' on television so that the party leaders could sum up their campaigns and show the clear differences between the issues.

"The United Bermuda Party responded positively and was willing to join in debate in each constituency if the PLP had agreed.

"However, the debates were turned down by the Progressive Labour Party. The reason given at the time was that such debates were not part of the PLP campaign strategy.

"Subsequently, in a broadcast answer to a call-in question about a leadership debate, Dr. (Ewart) Brown announced that the reason he would not debate Mr. Dunkley was because Mr. Dunkley was not running in his constituency.

"The inference was that debates would be okay between candidates running in the same constituency, a response that contradicts with the stated PLP campaign strategy. This inconsistency should be a cause for concern by voters.

"The voters should also be concerned that this election run-up of some eight weeks has produced very little of substance on issues of importance to our Island. The electorate would benefit from inter-party debates on education, crime, housing, accountability, as well as other issues.

"That any party remains aloof from debating the issues is a disservice to every voter that holds democracy dear.

"Bermudian voters deserve more from the political parties and their candidates.

"The VRA urges all voters to do their own due diligence in evaluating candidates and determine just which one will not only be there for them when the chips are down but for every voter in that constituency as well.

"We must all put division behind us: our future and that of our families depends on it."