Neither party was prepared for a General Election campaign which so far has been dominated by slogans, finger-pointing and flag-planting, according to two former Cabinet ministers.

Ashfield DeVent and Phil Perinchief bemoaned the lack of any serious discussion on social issues, the economy, crime or education with just over two weeks remaining before people go to the polls.

Mr Perinchief concluded the One Bermuda Alliance and Progressive Labour Party had both been “caught with their political pants down” when Michael Dunkley called a “snap election” on June 8, a day before David Burt’s proposed vote of no confidence was due to take place.

He said the Premier had been manoeuvred into dropping the writ earlier than he wanted and, noting that the PLP did not appear ready either, questioned whether the Opposition leader had been pressured into his move from outside his parliamentary group.

Mr DeVent, a former PLP MP, said both sides had been slow to unveil candidates, only completing their slates last week while, as of yesterday, neither had revealed its election platform.

“I think the way in which this election was called, because it was forced by a vote of no confidence, I don’t think either side was prepared for the election,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“When I saw the Opposition call for the General Election, I would have thought they would have all their ducks in a row, all their candidates picked and settled, but they have only just announced their full slate. With so little time left, it’s worrying. It should be worrying for Government supporters that they didn’t even have a full slate [until Friday], and neither do they have some form of manifesto.

“There are lots of new candidates on both sides with only a few weeks to get to know their new constituents. I honestly don’t believe they are going to get to see everyone in that constituency. Some would argue they are taking advantage of the voters.

“No one has said anything about how they are going to fix the education deficiencies.

“No one has said really clearly how they hope to provide more work for those unemployed people.

“We still have seniors complaining about their difficulties in meeting their healthcare costs.

“No one seems to have a handle or any real ideas regarding the gang problem.”

Asked how he viewed the election campaign so far, former PLP attorney-general Mr Perinchief replied: “What campaign? Had there been any from either side, I don’t see it.

“I think the OBA allowed themselves to be manoeuvred into the position whereby they faced a debilitating vote of no confidence.

“The Premier was really trying to get a total boost from the America’s Cup. In a way, he allowed the PLP to force upon him a call for a General Election. Against the background of what was becoming a diminishing boost from the America’s Cup, the Premier actually called the shortest possible time to hold an election. Both parties are surprised and neither side are prepared for this snap election. I think that what we are experiencing is the zero to lacklustre non-performance of the parties in terms of getting their message out. They have been caught with their political pants down.

“We are seeing political expediency as opposed to long-term planning.”

Asked why Mr Burt would have pushed for an election if the PLP was not ready, Mr Perinchief said he had heard suggestions that he faced “pressures from outside that they wanted that to happen”.

The OBA has been repeating its catchphrase, “Forward together, not back”, while the PLP has done likewise with its “Two Bermudas” and “Putting Bermudians first” slogans; party flags have been planted in the ground on a daily basis and MPs have taken part in photograph opportunities waving at traffic. Each party has also frequently directed attacks on the other’s performance.

Mr Perinchief said: “All that each party to date has had time to cobble together with this very short window are slogans, gimmicks and flag-waving.”

Mr DeVent said: “None of that gives the guy who is out of work for the last 18 months any hope. None of that gives that senior who is struggling to pay his healthcare any new direction to move in. This election, some would argue, is one of the most important that we are going to have because of the economic situation we are in.

“I think a lot of people could be living in some place of fear because of what the future holds for us.

“I think voters do want information. The onus is on the voting public to demand that both sides provide some information and both sides to come and sit in their front room and have a discussion with them.

“There’s a growing tide of distrust for normal politicians and a look for new and fresh ideas and attitudes towards dealing with the people.

“I have heard quite a few people say they are not going to vote, they are fed up with all of them.”

A third former PLP minister, Renee Webb, argued the emphasis on slogans would not be entirely ineffective, saying: “As a consequence of social media I would say that the emphasis is more on slogans and gimmicks.

“It makes sense given the continuous development of these forms of media that the under 35s in particular use. Regarding the platforms, I am sure there will be more discussion on specifics once they are both made public.

“However, I believe that this will not be the deciding factor for most voters who have already made up their mind.”

Mr DeVent said that many people who historically voted for the PLP had switched to the OBA “looking for something different” in 2012.

But he continued: “From the beginning with the OBA, there’s nothing very issue-orientated. It’s been one controversy after another. In the meantime, people are still out of work, their lives haven’t changed.

“Some will say ‘I’m not voting’. It’s sad really, it’s sad and I’m somewhat fearful of the future. If a group of independents were elected something will change because they would hold some balance of power. Part of me would like to see that.”

Explaining further his disillusionment with his own party, he pointed to the prominent role played by former United Bermuda Party MPs Wayne Furbert, Kim Swan and Jamahl Simmons, all former severe critics of the PLP who later switched allegiances.

“I find it very difficult to support a PLP that has two former UBP leaders and a former UBP minister, particularly because I sat across the floor and heard the venom that they spewed against us,” he said.

“Now we have gone across the floor and picked them up. We couldn’t find anyone else?”

Mr Perinchief said both parties have “image problems to fix”: the OBA has to show it can be more socially conscious, and the PLP needs to convince voters it can work the economy.

“The vacillation I’m hearing is one of uncertainty, confusion and apprehension, no matter how uncertain those voters are with the OBA. The voter is left with a quandary,” he said.

“I would like to see the OBA demonstrate in very, very clear ways how they are going to fundamentally address social and economic inequality in Bermuda, and the issue of racism.

“I would like the PLP to demonstrate that is has the capacity and the commitment to address the inequality in Bermuda and to also tackle head on the issue of race and class division in this country, within their own ranks and within the country.

“Both parties have a huge trust deficit from the electorate.”