NDP’s PRO Says Party Ready for All-Leeward Political Debates with ULP 

By Admin. Updated 8:02 p.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Public Relations Officer of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), Ms. Lavern King, stated on Tuesday that the party “is happy to have an all-Leewards debate wherever and whenever they (the ULP) are ready.”

Ms. King was responding to an article published on One News SVG in which the Unity Labour Party’s Grenville Williams called for a debate with the NDP’s incumbent in South Leeward, Mr. Nigel ‘Nature’ Stephenson.

Mr. Williams, the Attorney General and a first-time candidate slated to run in the General Election due by November 2025, was asked by one of the hosts of Star Radio’s Morning Scoop Programme whether he is willing to face off against Stephenson in a one-on-one debate. Mr. Williams assured the listening public that he would welcome such an opportunity, adding that it would help voters make an informed choice when they are next called to the polls.

Ms. King told One News SVG: “Whilst Nigel “Nature” Stephenson is not interested in giving Grenville a platform by participating in performative political grandstanding and prefers to spend time talk to and listen to his constituents, he is not opposed to a debate as it means he would beat Grenville 2 times. First at the debates and next at the polls. The NDP is happy to have an all Leewards debate wherever and whenever they are ready.”

Mr. Nigel Stephenson, a former school teacher turned politician, has held the South Leeward constituency in Parliament since 2010.

The three seats on the Leeward side of mainland St. Vincent include South Leeward, Central Leeward, and North Leeward.

Central Leeward has been held by the Labour Party since 1994, while North Leeward, which is known to be a marginal battleground seat, returned to the ULP in 2020 after switching to the NDP in 2010.

Central Leeward will see a match-up between Dr. Orando Brewster of the Unity Labour Party, the incumbent, and first-time candidate Mr. Conroy Huggins, a school teacher. In North Leeward, there will be a match-up between lawyer Carlos James, the incumbent, and first-time candidate Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of West Indies Cricket.

Many Vincentians have been calling for public debates between the candidates from the two major opposing political parties.