Chairman Greene claims court decision was a win for ALP, while critics say his remarks are ‘idiotic’ and ‘laughable’

Dunce, idiotic and laughable are just some of the adjectives being
used to describe comments made by Paul “Chet ” Greene, chairman
of the Antigua Labour Party.

On Wednesday, July 5, Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, the United Progressive
Party (UPP) candidate for St. Mary’s South, won the election petition
case brought against him by constituent Casworth Aaron.

Aaron had challenged Simon’s nomination and subsequent win at
the polls, and was ultimately seeking to have the Labour Party
candidate, Samantha Marshall, declared the winner of the St. Mary’s
seat.

But Justice Jan Drysdale declared the case moot and dismissed the
petition since Simon had already resigned from the House of
Representatives on June 7.

To the amazement of many people, another media house reported
on Thursday, July 6, that Greene said the Antigua Labour Party was
the real winner, based on the judge’s decision. 

Greene claims that the ALP won and that “the Court’s decision
actually upholds the thinking of the Labour Party … that Shugy was
illegally nominated and therefore ought not to be in the House of
Representatives.”

He adds that the people now have to decide, and the fact that Simon
is no longer in Parliament is no victory for the UPP candidate.
In response, some residents are saying that Greene appears to lack
commonsense. They note that the Labour Party supporter who
brought the case could have withdrawn it after Simon resigned – but
reportedly was hoping the Court would declare the resignation
illegal. 

One woman reminds Greene that even the Cabinet – of which he is a
member – was gloating a few weeks ago, claiming that Simon’s
resignation was not final, since it was the court matter that would
decide his fate.

She says the ALP chairman is walking on his head, because his
position goes against everything already stated by his political
leader. 

Shaking their heads at Greene’s remarks, other persons are adding
that the Labour Party is upside-down and needs Jesus.
On the other hand, many residents are lauding Simon as an
honorable man who did the right thing by resigning. And they
believe that Greene is ashamed to admit that his party’s hope for the
St. Mary’s South seat was dashed with the dismissal of the case.
Scores of Southside residents have dismissed Marshall publicly,
saying they no longer want the poor representation that she offers.