UPP’s St Mary’s South Candidate Says By-Election Should be Based on Performance

The United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for St Mary’s South Kelvin Shugy Simon, the October 24 elections should be based on performance

“I ask all voters to look objectively at the performance of the ABLP administration because a government should be judged on its performance”, Simon told a press conference this morning

According to him, almost 10 years ago, the ABLP promised “More Jobs, More Investments and Less Taxes. So, ask yourself this simple question: Has the ABLP regime kept its major election promises?”.

“In the lead-up to the January 18th elections, the Prime Minister’s pie-in-the-sky promises intensified with the announcement of drones flying the skies and unmanned cars running the roads of Barbuda. This just reminds us that Gaston Browne is oblivious – or indifferent – to the real needs of the people. He will say anything to play on our emotions, Simon said

Meanwhile, Simon says this by-election has national implications.

‘The ABLP lost six seats in the last general elections, confirming an appetite for change throughout Antigua and Barbuda. Voters in St. Mary’s South have already demonstrated their outright dissatisfaction with the ABLP in the January 18th poll and we now have an opportunity to send an even stronger message that the people of St. Mary’s South will not be taken for granted” he added.

Furthermore, he said that since losing the popular vote and surviving with a narrow win earlier this year, the ABLP has achieved very little nationally or in our constituency.

“A majority of the electorate is of the view that this government has run its course, and they are incapable of delivering on the priorities of the people. Shamefully, the ABLP stands on a record of no solutions and no progress. This election will take place against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis, a weak economy, crumbling infrastructure, countless other major issues that the ABLP has NOT addressed,” he added

According to interim UPP Political Leader, Jamale Pringle, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) is rushing to complete projects in the constituency to improve their chances of winning in the upcoming polls.

The Lower House of Parliament is composed of nine ABLP seats, five UPP seats, one independent MP Asot Michael, and one Barbuda People’s Movement seat.