Senate Minority Leader Chester Hughes on Wednesday said opposition senators intend to bring “the highest level of debate” to Antigua and Barbuda’s Upper House while focusing on policy and legislation rather than partisan politics.

Addressing the Senate following the swearing-in ceremony for senators appointed after the April 30 general election, Hughes said the opposition would approach debates with preparation and constructive criticism.

“We will criticize constructively. We will criticize with a sense of purpose and national pride and not for political reasons,” Hughes told the chamber.

“We will not debate bills and politics. But we will debate bills and policies and Antigua and Barbuda along with principles,” he added.

Hughes said senators on the opposition bench would carefully review legislation brought before the Upper House and would not oppose measures simply for political reasons.

“If we have to send a bill back to the lower house, we must send it back with the respect that we have a challenge with that bill and not that we oppose the bill,” he said.

The Senate Minority Leader also said he had already instructed opposition senators to thoroughly research legislation before participating in debates.

“I’ve already advised my team that proper research must be done in order for us to present to this nation what is right and principled for Antigua and Barbuda,” Hughes said.

He additionally encouraged younger senators to focus on issues affecting youth and to help explain legislation to younger generations.

“I challenge the younger senators in this honorable house to look into the interests of the young people of this country and explain to them how the bills that we will pass affect their lives and livelihoods,” Hughes said.

Hughes also stressed that political differences should not prevent senators from maintaining respectful relationships inside and outside the chamber.

“The politics is over. The work begins to continue the building of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.