MP Watts Addresses Reports of Branch Office Eviction

St. George Parliamentary Representative Algernon “Serpent” Watts has broken his silence on the closure of his constituency office in Potters, describing it as a “financially prudent” decision rather than an eviction due to unpaid rent.

“As I had expected, this has become political fodder,” Watts said in a statement released by the United Progressive Party (UPP). “But it was simply an expense that neither the Branch nor my constituency allowance of $2,000 a month could sustain any longer.”

Watts explained that current economic pressures influenced his decision to surrender the premises. “Given how the cost of living has eroded people’s spending power – which, in turn, has increased demands on me for assistance – we had to let the building go. It is way more important at this time to be in the position to help my constituents survive.”

In a pointed reference to political opponents, Watts added, “Like families and small businesses all over this country, we had to prioritize. We couldn’t allow the rent to run up to $12 million, like other folks do.”

News of the office closure broke last week amid claims that Watts had been evicted after accumulating $12,000 in rent arrears dating back to August 2024. Documents reportedly showed that despite multiple reminders from the landlord, the outstanding payments remained unaddressed.

Watts, who manages NewsCo Ltd and organizes the popular Big People Party event, allegedly receives allowances specifically for operating the constituency office.

At the time of the closure, local educator Jasmine Henry had been using part of the office space for an after-school program, paying $800 monthly for the facility.

Other UPP leadership members noted in the statement that commercial rental fees are prohibitively high, making it “extremely challenging for Branches to sustain offices” outside election campaign periods.

The party statement concluded that while “political spin from detractors was expected,” it would not distract them from addressing pressing national issues like poor roads, water shortages, and concerns about “the use of taxpayers’ money to pay private legal fees related to the Alfa Nero challenges.”