Senate Minority Leader Chester Hughes says the people of All Saints East and St. Luke have consistently demonstrated political independence, declaring that residents “will not be bought” or dictated to on how they should vote.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service hosted by the United Progressive Party’s All Saints East and St. Luke branch to celebrate the re-election of Jamale Pringle, Hughes praised constituents for remaining loyal to the UPP despite the party’s broader electoral struggles across the country.

“The people of All Saints East and St. Luke are people who are independent in thought,” Hughes said. “They will not be bought. They could not be dictated to and they will not be told who to vote for, when to vote for them and how to vote for them.”

Hughes described the constituency as one that “has withstood many pressures throughout time” and reflected on its political history dating back decades.

He recalled that former MP Charlesworth Samuel returned to Parliament in 1994 after leaving St. Mary’s North and contesting the constituency.

“He came home and he brought this seat home,” Hughes said, adding that the constituency spent many years in opposition afterward.

Hughes also reflected on his own time representing the constituency after replacing Samuel following what he described as an “unfortunate incident.” He said both he and Samuel ensured the constituency received support during their tenure in office.

The Senate Minority Leader said the UPP later suffered defeat in the 2014 general election, after which he was moved to St. Mary’s North while Joanne Messiah was placed in All Saints East and St. Luke.

Hughes used much of his speech to highlight Pringle’s political journey and loyalty to the party.

According to Hughes, Pringle initially wanted to contest the constituency in 2014 after Hughes was reassigned, but he advised the young politician to remain patient.

“I said to him, wait your turn. Don’t go against the grain,” Hughes said. “Allow the leadership to proceed with its course. What is for a man, he will always have it.”

Hughes said Pringle listened to the advice and later emerged as the preferred choice when the constituency needed a replacement candidate.

“As a former representative, as to who I think should replace and be placed there, I said to them, Jamal Pringle,” Hughes said.

He revealed that some members of the party leadership at the time were unfamiliar with Pringle, prompting him to arrange a meeting involving party figures, including Wilmer Daniel, to discuss Pringle’s suitability.

Hughes credited Pringle with helping him during his own years in office and described him as the only person capable of holding the constituency for the party.

“I explained to them that he was instrumental in my success as a representative, and I think he is the only person at this point in time to carry the seat,” Hughes said.

He also recalled Pringle’s narrow 2018 election victory, which Hughes said came during one of the lowest moments in the party’s history.

“In 2018, he was single Pringle,” Hughes said. “He returned his seat although I think it was the worst time in our party history where he won the seat by, I think it was 11 or 10 votes.”

Hughes said Pringle continued fighting on behalf of constituents and the UPP in Parliament despite the political climate.

Turning to his own return to the Senate, Hughes said he initially wondered how the role would unfold amid “mixed emotions,” but said supporters across Antigua and Barbuda encouraged him to bring stronger opposition representation to the Upper House.

“A number of persons have met me and said, ‘We want you to put fire in the Senate. We want you to do what has never been done before,’” Hughes said.

He pledged that the UPP’s four senators would support Pringle and fight to uphold democratic principles and ensure ordinary citizens understand legislation debated in Parliament.

“Brother Pringle may be the only seat in the lower house, but there are four seats in the upper house that will fight … to ensure that our democracy is upheld,” Hughes said.

He ended his remarks by thanking God for what he described as the wisdom shown by voters in All Saints East and St. Luke in returning Pringle to Parliament.