two by-elections was yesterday overshadowed by a row over PLP media relations.

Opposition Jennifer Smith was accused of ignoring calls from the media for comment and of gagging her Shadow Cabinet.

Media representatives at the press conference complained Ms Smith failed to return calls and had turned into the invisible leader.

But Ms Smith hit back, denying she had muzzled Shadow Ministers and insisting she dealt fairly with the media.

She admitted: "I realise I am not answering my calls in what the media would call a timely manner -- but I have been busy tending to party business.'' Ms Smith pointed out that in addition to party responsibilities, she had to deal with the Education Shadow Ministry and constituents' problems as well.

She added: "I do resent the tone that when the media calls I should drop everything and respond.'' And she shrugged off media claims that her lack of availability was damaging her party's chances at the next General Election.

Ms Smith said: "The only visibility of the party is not through the media -- I've been busy in other ways. We have been in election readiness since last year and that takes a lot of time.'' She added: "I do not get back in a timely manner, but there is such a demand on my time -- I don't expect that to last forever.'' Ms Smith was speaking after the Opposition announced its candidates to fight the UBP strongholds of Paget East and Devonshire South on May 6.

Paget East will be contested by financial portfolio manager Craig Walls, 36, of St. David's, while commercial fisherman Danny Farias, 64, of Devonshire, will stage a re-run of his 1993 General Election in the same constituency.

Introducing the two, Ms Smith said: "Together these two gentlemen will promote the party's platform of inclusion...their candidacies represent a combination of youth and experience and we are delighted that Mr. Farias and Mr. Walls have stepped forward in this way.'' Candidates named Ms Smith later admitted that both men will face a fight to make a dent in what are seen as staunch UBP areas.

But she said: "We will see how it plays -- there really is no such thing as safe seat any more. We will test the waters and present these two candidates who are worthy of consideration.

She said of Paget East: "I will be very pleased if we keep our deposit, but I will put no boundaries on what Mr. Walls may be able to do.'' And she added: "I would be very happy if Mr. Farias does as well as he did last time. And I am not discounting the thought that they may surprise all of the pundits.'' Both candidates were also upbeat about the battle in the two constituencies.

Mr. Walls said: "Government's candidates are not raising any issues which are new. We have had the same problems for 30 years.

"We want to be the party of solutions -- we want to provide solutions to the problems.'' He added: "Voters in Paget East need to send a message to Government: `We are not a safe seat. We need solutions to these problems and if not, we will vote for another candidate.' '' And he claimed his business background would help convince swing voters that the PLP can appeal to big business as well as run the Country.

Mr. Farias, a environmental campaigner in addition to his job as a fisherman, I don't want to take anyone for granted -- I feel good about it. I feel better than I did last time.'' He added: "From the feedback I get from people in the area, I should do all right.'' Mr. Farias added that his expertise was in protection of the environment -- which he said was "getting worse and worse''.

And he accused the National Trust of failing to do its job and instead protecting "the status quo and the Government of the day''.