Jubilant Simon and nine originals complete nomination process and move the action to ‘Shugycade’ and fourth public rally

A sea of blue and yellow – the colours of the United Progressive
Party – flooded the sidewalk near the Bolans Primary School on
Monday morning, October 9, as supporters turned out to witness the
nomination of Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, the Party’s candidate for the
October 24 by-election.
 
Hundreds more watched online as Simon went through the
formalities: filling out the requisite documents ahead of the poll and
paying the required fee to complete his nomination.

As well as the mandatory 10 nominees, more than 50 others jostled
good-naturedly to enter the room and nominate the homegrown
candidate. And, according to Simon, there had to be a selection
process to determine who would appear with him before Returning
Officer Denese Parker.
 
However, it ended up being the same people who had stood beside
him on Nomination Day in December 2022 – except for his current
political opponent, Dwayne George.

The UPP candidate says he was overwhelmed by, and appreciative
of, the Party members and well-wishers who continue to show
genuine support for his candidacy.

Among those who turned out in solidarity were former political
leader Harold Lovell; St. George MP Algernon “Serpent” Watts; All
Saints West MP Anthony Smith, Jr.; and caretakers Senator
Johnathan Joseph, Franz deFreitas, Pearl Quinn-Williams, Gladys
Potter, Alister Thomas, and Sean Bird, as well as the Party’s general-
secretary, Senator Shawn Nicholas, and Deputy Chairman Jason
Mannix.
 
Following the Nomination Day formalities, Simon acknowledged
being the first person to contest two elections in the same year,
adding that he is confident of a “historic” win.
 
Then supporters took part in what was dubbed a mini “Shugycade”
from Bolans to Cades Bay and back.
 
This exercise was a prelude to the “Blue Wave” – which is now mere
minutes away – which will see a caravan of supporters wending
their way from Bolans to the Urlings Playing Field for a public rally.

Meanwhile, Simon says he is happy to have completed the
nomination, which paves the way for the by-election. He expects
that the outcome will be in his favour again, and he looks forward to
getting on with the real work of representing St. Mary’s South.

Since the people voted for him overwhelmingly in January, and he
has since proven himself, Simon notes that they are eager to re-elect
him to the House of Representatives.
 
The UPP candidate says he has great plans for the constituency; and
even though he is not in government, he has proven that he can get
things done. Hence, the people of the South will not be neglected
–like they were, for the past nine years, under the Gaston Browne
Administration