team set to lead the ruling United Bermuda Party into this year's General Election.

The new team contains two new Ministers -- Erwin Adderley and Kim Young -- and draws most of its members from the MPs new to the House in 1993 and Parliamentarians elected since then.

Ms Smith said: "One has to question how much experience they can gain in the two months left to the House of Assembly.'' And she accused Premier Pamela Gordon of going for style and appearance over substance.

Ms Smith said it appeared that "any superficial move which might give the look of change is being grabbed at.'' And she claimed: "I certainly see what has happened as the last gasp, if you will, of a governing party which, recognising that the tide has changed, that they are not the party to lead this Country into the 21st century.

Ms Smith added she had heard of Warwick West MP and ex-Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness' return to the back benches with "shock.'' She said: "I am surprised that Quinton Edness had gone. Perhaps this means that the governing party have conceded Warwick West to the Progressive Labour Party.'' PLP campaign chief Calvin Smith said both outgoing Environment Minister Irving Pearman, who sits in Warwick East, and Mr. Edness had been involved in the storm surrounding the drugs-busting Operation Cleansweep and the departure of then-Police Commissioner Colin Coxall shortly afterwards.

But Mr. Smith said: "I can't help but wonder if we are still looking at the aftermath of the former Commissioner of Police and the impact or the interaction -- or lack of them -- with the two Ministers who have been dumped.'' And Ms Smith criticised the Premier for waiting until today to explain the reasoning behind her shake-up of Ministers and Ministerial responsibilities.

Ms Smith added: "I find it amazing, quite frankly, that, having long anticipated this reshuffle before the House closed, that having finally announced it, she is not prepared to answer questions for some 24 hours.'' The news came as the PLP announced two new candidates to fight the General Election in Smith's North and Smith's South.

PLP's Smith not impressed As revealed in The Royal Gazette , ex-Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer Lt.

Col. David Burch is to contest Smith's South.

And exempt company trust manager Patrice Parris will mount a challenge in Smith's North.

Lt. Col. Burch said he did not consider himself "a typical political candidate.'' But he added he had no problem with moving from the Regiment to the political battlefield -- or with becoming a foot soldier in the PLP.

He said he had been prompted into joining the ranks of the PLP by "three years of working with the United Bermuda Party Government as Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment.'' Lt. Col. Burch added he had picked the PLP because "the fundamental difference, in my opinion, between the two parties is that, with a PLP Government, we will have a level playing field for the people of this Country.'' He added he felt the pull of politics through his professional interest in law and order and the welfare of the young.

Ms Parris said she had "genuine concern'' for the youth of the Country, as well as worries over seniors' welfare, transportation and traffic.

The PLP also confirmed sitting MPs Eugene Cox and Dennis Lister would fight their Sandys North corner again at the next General Election.