Announcement of October 24 by-election date is energizing UPP and supporters of its candidate, Kelvin ‘Shugy’ Simon

After more than three months of anticipation of the by-election date,
the United Progressive Party (UPP) is welcoming the opportunity to
defend the people’s will and end the process of selecting the right
representative for St. Mary’s South.
 
The Party’s confidence is even more solid since Saturday night,
September 30, when Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced
during an Urlings rally that the by-election will be held on Tuesday,
October 24.
 
According to the UPP, this poll will have national implications, as it
will serve as a referendum on both Gaston Browne and his Antigua
Labour Party Administration.

The UPP notes that the Labour Party lost eight seats in the recent
General Election, and this, it says, is confirmation of the appetite for
change throughout Antigua and Barbuda. And it points out that St.
Mary’s South already demonstrated its dissatisfaction with the ALP
on January 18. 
 
The Opposition Party says that constituents now have the
opportunity to send an even stronger message – that they will not
be taken for granted, as was the case for nine years under the
stewardship of former MP Samantha Marshall.
 
Rather, residents can look to the future and begin the important
work of strengthening the community with its candidate, Kelvin
“Shugy” Simon, the Party states.
 
Immediately after the by-election date was announced, persons took
to social media to weigh in, with some accusing Simon of
abandoning the constituency by resigning from the Lower House on
June 7.
 
These, UPP leaders say, are obviously ALP operatives, who are
taking their cues from their political leader, Browne, who started
that narrative.
 
However, the support for Simon was – and continues to be
–overwhelming, with residents saying they are fed up with the
Labour Party and Browne, himself, and their continued disrespect. 
 
Some claim they will be going out early to give Simon the mandate
to continue representing St. Mary’s South. Many expressed the
opinion that Simon is the best choice to represent and defend the
people’s rights – which, they say, he was doing even before being
elected to public office.