By Robert Andre Emmanuel
As the January 14 by-election in the St Peter constituency draws near, both major political parties – the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and the United Progressive Party (UPP) have intensified their ground game, with candidates from the two main political parties officially nominated yesterday.
The ABLP candidate former Senator Rawdon Turner, who arrived at the nomination centre at the Parham Primary School surrounded by ABLP supporters, expressed confidence in his prospects.
“I’m happy that the people came out with such numbers to support my nomination,” he said.
In an interview with Observer media, Turner highlighted his connection to the community as a local architect and businessman. He notes his deep roots in the constituency stating that he was “raised by the village” and maintains strong relationships with community elders.
Turner’s message focused on his plans for constituency representation.
“Give me a chance to represent them in the lower house… My goal is to perform so well that when another election is called, I would not have to campaign as hard,” he added.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne strongly endorsed Turner, describing him as “a homegrown talent” and pointing to his international recognition as an architect.
“I am very pleased that we have a candidate of such calibre to represent the people of St Peter’s, and I call upon the people of St Peter’s to give him their full support,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that work on road infrastructure in the constituency will continue.
Meanwhile, Wehner, accompanied by UPP Political Leader Jamale Pringle and his campaign manager Chester Hughes, filed his nomination papers amid cheers from supporters and well-wishers.
Wehner, who previously contested the St George seat in 2018, serves as the party’s Mobilization Officer and has been a vocal critic of the Gaston Browne-led administration.
“The Labour Party would have gotten several opportunities to help develop this constituency and they did nothing,” Wehner stated after his nomination.
The UPP’s Mobilization Officer has centered the party’s campaign on what he sees as longstanding infrastructure deficits in the constituency.
The campaign manager cited issues with road networks and challenges with lighting throughout St Peter, such as the Gunthorpes community.
“We will mobilize our teams into all the areas. We have already started our attack on the ground… so what we are doing is continuing the groundwork as we continue to pick up the pace over the next ten to 14 days,” he said.
The UPP team argues that these problems have persisted despite the constituency being represented by the Labour Party for a very long time, most recently by the late MP Asot Michael.
UPP Political Leader Jamale Pringle highlighted Wehner’s commitment to the party and work ethic.
He added that this by-election race is anything but a foregone conclusion.
“I have been on the ground for the last few days and there are sentiments out there that… they [the ABLP] are taking us for granted here in St Peter because [the constituency] has voted for Labour over the past few years …” Pringle said.
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), on their social media page, has confirmed that both nominations met all requirements.
Nigel Bascus of the Missing Link Party also began the process of being nominated. However Observer media has confirmed that he was unable to secure the minimum ten supporters required under the law.
