By Robert Andre Emmanuel
Barbara Coates has revealed herself as the next candidate for All Saints West under the United Progressive Party (UPP) banner, making a decisive statement about her political allegiance amid what she suggested were attempts to sway her loyalty.
During a UPP rally in Pares Village last night, Coates made her position clear with an emphatic declaration: “I am not for sale. I cannot be bought, brothers and sisters. [Not for] one million, or not two million… I am staying with the United Progressive Party.”
The aspiring candidate framed her announcement within a broader call for change in All Saints West, emphasizing the historic nature of her candidacy.
“It is about time All Saints West gets an honest, hard-working, committed woman to run and to represent us,” Coates told supporters, introducing what she called her campaign slogan: “Barbara Coates is the best for All Saints West.”
Coates, drawing from her two decades residing and communicating in the area, highlighted infrastructure challenges she’s witnessed, including in neighboring St Peter. “I know what it is like to be driving on roads that don’t exist. I personally have even gone to the Public Works [Department] and asked for help,” she said, connecting local issues to broader concerns about infrastructure development.
During the rally Coates used the platform to endorse George Wehner, the UPP’s candidate for the upcoming St Peter by-election. “We want Captain George Wehner. As a matter of fact, he is the right choice, he is the only choice. He works tirelessly, highlighting many of the things that are happening in Antigua and Barbuda,” she stated, emphasizing the connection between All Saints West and St Peter as neighboring constituencies.
Meanwhile UPP Labour Relations Officer, Ashworth Azille, who spoke prior to Coates at the rally, outlined the party’s vision for economic development and social justice.
“Real empowerment comes when the people are given hand up and not handouts,” Azille stated, addressing what he described as growing economic disparities in the country.
Azille claimed challenges faced by small businesses and entrepreneurs as he claimed the government gives preferential treatment for large investors over local businesses.
“[Speculators] have come into this country and are offered the proverbial red carpet while they run off to the bank with acres of crown land and promises of untold exemptions and tax holidays. What for the small man?” he questioned.
Addressing what he described as misconceptions about the UPP’s stance on immigration, Azille shared his personal story: “I stand before you as one whose parents migrated from Dominica to Antigua many years ago to seek a better life. I was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica, but brought here as a child, and this has been my home for well over 37 years.”
Party leader Jamale Pringle revealed that the party has assembled its complete slate of candidates: “What you’re waiting for will be given to you in a short order because we have 16 men and women to contest the next general elections in Antigua and Barbuda.”
