SMS representative Kelvin Simon is sworn in to Parliament, ending four-week wait

The Honourable Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, the recently elected
parliamentary representative for St. Mary’s South, was sworn in to
the Lower House on Tuesday morning, November 21, to applause
from supporters who had turned out to witness the historic event.

Simon is the only MP to have been elected twice in one year: in the
General Election on January 18 and, nine months later, in the by-
election held October 24.

After a wait of four weeks – yet brimming with confidence and
beaming a broad smile – Simon took the Oath of Allegiance before
his fellow MPs, family, friends, constituents, and United Progressive
Party (UPP) supporters, who were clad in vibrant blues and yellows,
the Party’s colours.

Present to witness the historic event, as well, was the Party’s first
political leader, former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.
Simon says he is humbled by the opportunity to represent the
people of St. Mary’s South again, and he stands ready to hold the
Government’s feet to the fire.

The MP says he is also looking forward to participating in the
debates, voting on legislation, and serving the people of Antigua and
Barbuda.

Simon tendered his resignation on June 7, after a constituent
challenged the legitimacy of his first election victory in court. He
had defeated – by 199 votes – the Antigua Labour Party’s candidate,
Samantha Marshall.

This forced a by-election in which Marshall was replaced by UPP
defector Dwayne George, who was also defeated by Simon, who
emerged with a total of 1,065 votes.