Godwin Haylock is the New U.D.P. Queen’s Square Standard Bearer
For the first time since 1984, the United Democratic Party has a standard bearer in the Queen’s Square Division who does not bear the last name “Barrow”. On Sunday, attorney Godwin Haylock emerged victorious over Shane Williams in an election convention to succeed incumbent Area Representative, Denise “Sista B” Barrow. The day’s proceedings went without incident and carried an overall cordial atmosphere, as both contenders and their supporters were civil and even friendly towards each other. But at the end of the day, the results reflected that at the polls, the eight hundred plus U.D.P. Queen’s Square supporters who turned out to vote had a clear favourite in Haylock. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, United Democratic Party
“There was a total of eight hundred and there was a total of eight hundred and sixty ballots cast. Five were rejected, one hundred and nineteen for Shane Williams; seven hundred and thirty-six for Godwin Haylock. I Godwin Haylock solemnly swear that as the United Democratic Party standard bearer for Queen Square.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
The overwhelming majority votes that U.D.P Queen’s Square supporters gave to Godwin Haylock on Sunday over Queen’s Square resident, Shane Williams was a clear indication who they want to represent them at the next general elections. It was the convention that attracted the highest number of U.D.P supporters percentage-wise so far, after the last general elections. However, the eight hundred plus residents who turned out represented only a fraction of the over two thousand, seven hundred total registered voters in the constituency, Haylock, nonetheless, thought that the turnout showed U.D.P strength.
Godwin Haylock
Godwin Haylock, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Queen’s Square
“It’s just under one-third of the voter turnout today showing clear U.D.P strength at a convention. First of all, this division is not used to coming to conventions and the machinery is not a machinery made for conventions, right? It’s a machinery we normally use for the general elections, but we had to tweak it and make sure that we tried our best to get our people out because that’s something that we normally have to go and get people out, people normally out for general elections.”
Shane Williams, who we spoke with earlier in the day, said he was getting the signs from then who the voters wanted.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams, Political Candidate
“You know how politics is. I’ve been seeing some of my best friends in some Haylock shirts and things like that, so that’s politics, so I’m on my own, you know, campaigning on my own, strategizing on my own, and planning on my own. So this is a totally different thing nobody to rely on at this level, every man for themselves at the standard bearer level.”
The two contenders were friendly towards each other and even posed for our cameras. Soon after the polls opened at nine a.m. until they closed at four p.m., former U.D.P ministers John Saldivar and Edmond Castro were visibly in Haylock’s camp. While we asked Saldivar for an interview, the only thing he would say was congrats to the winner.
John Saldivar
John Saldivar, U.D.P. Standard Bearer
“Congratulations Godwin, the new lion for Queen’s Square.”
Now as he prepares to face off with Deputy Mayor Alan Pollard, the People’s United Party’s candidate, at the next general elections, Haylock said he’s ready to work.
Godwin Haylock
“It will be the same Queen’s Square that will work hard for every voter in this division.”
It’s not clear at this point whether the re-districting exercise that is currently underway will change the boundaries of Queen’s Square or the number of registered voters. Marion Ali for News Five.
