After his party’s defeat in the by-election held on Tuesday, Leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the setback provided an opportunity for the party to prepare for the upcoming general elections.

Despite losing his party’s candidate, Dwayne George, to Kelvin Shugy Simon, the contender from the UPP, Browne believes that the ABLP has been strengthened and is now better positioned to contest the upcoming elections.

He used his official Facebook page to thank those who voted for George and contributed to the campaign during the weeks leading up to the election.

He acknowledged the support that his party’s candidate received and expressed his gratitude.

Despite the setback, the Prime Minister remains confident in his party’s ability to emerge victorious in the upcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the ABLP E.P Chet Green said George’s performance was credible, and the ABLP can feel satisfied that both George and the ABLP remain viable for future elections.

“For him, the journey has just begun. We had two months to prepare him with no history of involvement with the ABLP. He must be given credit when you see the amount of work that has been done,” Greene said

Greene said there is nothing to be disheartened about, telling his comrades “to be of good courage.”

He said George will continue to be a visible candidate and the plans that were outlined in the campaign leading up to the By-Election

“We lost the count but we didn’t lose the elections, Green said

Greene also congratulated Kelvin Shugy Simon on his win.