Criticism from the UBP's Pembroke West by-election candidate has been dismissed by his opponents as “campaign rhetoric emanating from a novice candidate suffering from ideological confusion”.

PLP public relations officer Glenn Blakeney said Jamahl Simmons appeared to be “desperately seeking an issue”.

Last week, Mr. Simmons criticised the Premier for not talking about the issues when she introduced her candidate, Carvel VanPutten, to the public - homing in instead on the fact that Mr. VanPutten was from the district and still lived there.

“The country is too small to be divided by such minor issues as place of birth,” said Mr. Simmons. He also questioned whether Mr. VanPutten would represent the constituents or pursue the Premier's agenda regardless of what the people of Pembroke West felt.

“If the people of the constituency say ‘we don't want income tax' and Jennifer Smith says ‘you will help us put this through', what will be his answer?”

“I was a bit surprised that a novice candidate would take a punch at the efforts of the Progressive Labour Party and the words of the Premier,” Mr. Blakeney said. “I just think it's inexperience. For someone to insinuate that Mr. VanPutten could possibly be an individual who would follow blindly any individual - that's far from the truth. To insinuate that shows a bit of inexperience.

“And moreover for someone who has just recently found a political home to be pointing a finger, it seems to be desperately seeking an issue.

“I don't think the voters in Pembroke are going to take a newcomer suggesting by innuendo that he is bringing more to the table than someone who ran for elections several times in his own backyard.”

Mr. VanPutten said that he had nothing to say about how one feels about our party or our leader'. Mr. Blakeney said that the Premier's comments reflected the party's pride in the fact that they had chosen a candidate “who had not only the experience but who had his ear to the ground with regard to his constituents”.

He added that Mr. Simmons had brought up the ‘hypothetical' and irrelevant issue of income tax to make his argument.

“Why bring up a hypothetical like income tax? It's only to mislead people with rhetoric that is not necessary, and possibly confuse things in people's mind. That is not on the agenda. “There are real issues and they were clearly stated at the press conference. So if you are going to bring up hypothetical examples, bring up hypotheticals that are relevant to the issues. So there is not going to be a dog fight with insinuation that has no significance.” The PLP is focusing on their candidate's intimate local knowledge, familiarity with the issues and community involvement. Mr. Blakeney told The Royal Gazette that “Mr. VanPutten has been involved in the branch's activities - including a November conference on ‘managing in times of recession” and an open day held at Number Six Shed late last year.

And he said he had also been involved in the branch's proactive approach to bring significant improvements to the Admiralty House area.

“The great thing from the branch's point of view is he has shown a commitment over several years in putting himself forward to represent his neighbours and friends.

“He's also had significant input and suggestions in various matters as a result of his experience as a hotelier and entrepreneur ... I think Mr. Simmons is well-meaning but I would suggest that he be a little more thoughtful and not so reactionary until he understands the reality, and that way I don't think he'll have much problem sticking with issues and not personalities.”

Mr. Blakeney said voters may do well to remember that Mr. Simmons has served on all three political parties - a sign, he suggested, that Mr. Simmons was “ideologically confused”.

Mr. Simmons, 31, who is being touted as representing ‘fresh blood and a new perspective', said in the past that the issue was a fair one, but his actions would speak louder than words.

Mr. Blakeney said the PLP canvassing had been “fantastic”.

“We're getting constituents saying to us that you can't please everybody but the responsiveness of Government on the serious issues has been impressive,” he said. “And a few said that they understand the significance of the one man one vote issue - that it was long overdue and it would be a fairer and more equitable way for voters to participate.”