Antigua: Senator Dwayne George resigns to run in St Mary’s poll

Antigua government’s Senator Dwayne George has resigned from his position in the Upper House of the parliament with the intention of representing the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP). He will now stand in the upcoming St Mary’s South by-elections, on behalf of the ABLP.

The announcement of Senator George’s resignation came from the Office of the Prime Minister, on Friday, 29^th September.

In the statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minster, it was specified that Senator George’s resignation had been accepted and would be in effect from the 29^th of September itself.

A public rally has been scheduled tomorrow in the Urlings Village, where Prime Minster Gaston Browne will also be present. At this event, Prime Minister Browne is expected to announce the date for the highly anticipated by-elections.

The catalyst for these by-elections was the resignation of Kelvin ‘Shugy’ Simon, who vacated his position as a member of parliament in June. In the 18 January 2023 General Elections, Simon routed ABLP’s candidate, Samantha Marshall by 199 votes.

The government responded by challenging the legality of the election results in the parliament. The basis of this challenge was that Kelvin Simon was an active civil servant at the time of his nomination as a United Progressive Party candidate on 28^th December 2022.

Considering the backdrop of these events, Senator Dwayne George’s resignation does not come as a surprise. In fact, it does show a reasonable degree of foresight, having taken stock of the examples in the past.

Whether the decision is a sound one or not, from a political perspective, is yet to be seen. It is understood though, that Dwayne George personally sees benefit in the decision he has made which speaks for his perception on the matter.

How his decision will be received by his contemporaries and the public in general will be apparent as time progresses and the elections get closer. At this early juncture though, it would be presumptuous to assume things that have not come to pass.