By Admin. Updated 10:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The Unity Labour Party (ULP) candidate for South Leeward Grenville Williams said he is ready to engage Nigel Stephenson of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in an open public debate regarding which of the two candidates would make the better parliamentary representative for the South Leeward Constituency.
According to a press release, Mr. Williams, recently selected by the ULP’s South Leeward Constituency Council to carry the party’s banner in that constituency in the next general elections, made the declaration in a recent interview on Star Radio’s Morning Scoop programme.
Asked by one of the programme’s hosts whether he is willing to face off with Stephenson in a one-on-one debate, Williams, an experienced lawyer, assured the listening public that he would welcome such an opportunity, adding that it would help the voters in making an informed choice when they are next called to the polls.
Williams, who is presently the Attorney General, said that it is only fair that the people of the constituency should have the chance to hear both candidates explain why the constituents should choose one and not the other.
Stephenson, a school teacher before being elected to parliament 14 years ago, is expected to contest the next general elections representing his party, the NDP, the press release further stated.
He first won the seat in the 2010 general elections, repeating the feat in 2015 when he won lawyer Jomo Thomas and again in 2020 when he defeated Mineva Glasgow.
Williams, who has practiced law at the national and regional levels, contends that notwithstanding Stephenson’s victories at the polls, he at best is a very poor parliamentary representative, having delivered virtually nothing for the constituency.
He insists that the voters of South Leeward deserve way better, and once given the chance, he will certainly provide effective representation. He added that he was born and raised in South Leeward and has always been interested in serving his people, further stating that he has the skill set, commitment, knowledge, and aptitude to deliver for the constituency.
Prime Minister and Leader of the ULP Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who was also a guest on the programme, fully endorsed the idea of the debate, stating his confidence that Williams will no doubt demonstrate that he is the better candidate by far. He added that Williams is an extremely humble person who has demonstrated his commitment to his people time and again, though not being their elected representative.
While the challenge was issued more than two weeks ago, neither Stephenson who goes by the sobriquet “Nature,” nor his party has so far responded to Williams’ call, who has assured the radio hosts, that he will be ready for the debate at short notice, the March 24 press release stated.
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