Shugy declines invitation to debate as a waste of time, while deFreitas says persons calling for it are seeking relevance

Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, the United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate
for St. Mary’s South, is refusing yet another debate challenge by one
of his political opponents ahead of the pending by-election.
 
The candidate for the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has
invited Simon and the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) candidate to a
debate, reportedly to lay their respective plans before the voters.
 
However, both candidates have declined the invitation.
Simon is of the opinion that a debate would be a waste of time.
Rather, he believes the Labour Party’s performance in the
constituency should be what convinces the people to vote one way
or the other.
 
Many of the constituents are supporting Simon’s position and,
instead, are demanding that the prime minister announce the by-
election date.
 
Meanwhile, Simon’s colleague, Franz deFreitas, the UPP caretaker
for St. John’s City South, is giving the candidate’s decision his full
endorsement. Anyone who wants a debate at this point is just
looking for relevance, he declares.