St Peters By-election: Wickham believes seat will go to the ABLP

With just a week to go before the by-elections take place in the St. Peters constituency, political analyst Peter Wickham has shared that he strongly believes the seat will return to the ruling Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).

Wickham while speaking on state media earlier this week mentioned that it would be a shock if the ABLP lend up losing the seat but in order to do so the question remains on if independent voters of the late Asot Michael will not only go out and vote but vote for the ABLP.  

He said that a loss would reflect the level of influence and power the party truly has lost since that area has normally been a stronghold for them.

That stronghold was broken in the last general elections when Michael ran independently after his longstanding issues with the ABLP.

He became the first independent candidate in Antigua to be elected.

“The real question will be if those independent-minded voters vote ABLP or UPP. However, I am inclined to think that a vast majority of those persons would have been ABLP and they will probably go back,” Wickham explained.

The by-election will take place on January 14 where Rawdon Turner of the ABLP and George Whener of the UPP will clash.

Over the weekend, both parties ramped up campaign efforts with the ABLP’s Rawdon Turner conducting walkthroughs in Parham Town on Saturday.

The release of his manifesto has also highlighted a few areas he wants to improve in the constituency like business hubs and marina development in Parham, healthcare accessibility and youth employment.

On Thursday, a rally will be held for the ABLP hopeful.

Meanwhile, the UPP has centred its campaign on the lack of prior investment in the constituency by the ABLP.

The seat became vacant after the untimely death of MP Asot Michael last November.

Michael who has been the Parliamentary Representative in St. Peters for more than two decades was killed in his Dry Hill home sending shock waves across the country, region, and international waters.

A man has since confessed to the crime.