Shane Williams: The U.D.P. Underdog in Queen Square
The United Democratic Party is currently in its convention season and standard bearers are being elected and endorsed across the country. In the Queen Square Division, Shane Williams, who is no stranger to politics, is hoping to be voted as the new U.D.P. standard bearer. Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow won that seat for eight consecutive elections, before he retired from politics in 2020. His sister, Denise Barrow then succeeded him in that constituency. Williams will go up against Sista B’s lieutenant, Godwin Haylock, in early April. And, there are those critics who are of the view that without the backing of Denise Barrow, Williams will fail to secure a convention victory in Queen Square. But, such a prospect is doing little to discourage the young politician from moving full steam ahead. We spoke with him in Queen Square where he is preparing to host an event for his community this weekend.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams, U.D.P. Standard Bearer Candidate, Queen Square
“On Saturday March eleventh we will be having a marble contest for kids. We did in last year on March twelfth in the hostel field area. This time we are doing it over here at the corner of Kut Avenue and Supal Street. We have categories for kids from five to thirteen, three age categories. The winner in each category will receive a tablet. We are trying to get kids to play the old games we use to play, the marble, hula-hoop, the skipping. So we will be adding events over the years. This year we added the street baseball we use to play, with tennis balls. This is a USA quick ball model, so it is the same we use to play where you could stone somebody and out them and things like that. Well I am definitely the underdog. If you were a betting man you wouldn’t bet on me. But I will put in the work. I have been an underdog all my life. The cards that I have been dealt, I have used the cards well. Just in this instance, I will go house to house, door to door, and I will try and reach every single person to at least offer my ideas and tell them how I am going to do the things I want to do. That is the least I can do and I believe I can live with the results as long as I put in the work on the ground. Nobody is entitled to leadership or representation. You can’t inherit leadership. The least you can o, even if you believe you are the one that should be in line, is go to the people, present your ideas and ask them for their support. Of course I have been facing a lot of pressure to back down, that I shouldn’t be running because I am just obstructing the natural progression. I believe if it is the natural progression it will out for you, but the least you can do is go to the people and ask for their vote.”
Following Saturday’s sports activities, there will be live musical performances but a host of artist including Supa G.
