Meet the Candidates in Queen Square

When residents of the Queen Square constituency head to the polls on March twelfth, they’ll have four candidates to choose from. Two are running under the U.D.P. umbrella, one represents the People’s United Party, and another is from the People’s Democratic Movement. The United Democratic Party has controlled this division since 1984, but could the tides be turning in favor of another party? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow won eight straight elections in Queen Square. After he retired from politics, his sister, Denise “Sista B” Barrow, took over the constituency in 2020. Queen Square is a stronghold for the UDP. Now, one of Sista B’s closest allies, Godwin Haylock, is running for the seat with her backing.

 

Godwin Haylock, U.D.P Candidate, Queen Square

“My roots are really deep in Queen Square, so deep that Queen Square is my birthplace, on Fairweather Street. It has also been my workplace for the last twenty-five years with the U.D.P. I have been in the trenches for the last twenty years pushing to get every vote. At the time it was honorable Dean Barrow, then Honorable Denise Barrow. Now, I finally get the opportunity to push for votes for me.”

 

Haylock is running under the Alliance for Democracy, a faction of the United Democratic Party. Interestingly, his fellow UDP opponent, Shane Williams, is contesting the Queen Square election under the leadership of Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Denise Barrow’s nephew. Haylock beat Williams at a constituency convention in 2023. However, Williams believes it was God’s plan for him to run in the division.

 

Shane Williams, U.D.P. Candidate, Queen Square

“God’s way is not my way. When I ran I wanted a direct path to the leadership. Of course things work out in a different way and I am here to take full advantage of that, because it is not everyday that someone like me gets that opportunity. I wish it was under better circumstance. I wish it was the direct path that everyone dreams for but not everyrone has that direct path. At the end of the day my goal is to bring whatever resources possible to my community and however I can get that or whatever direction or path leads me to that, it is what I am willing to take.”

 

Interestingly, Williams hasn’t put up any campaign flags or banners in the constituency yet. He says the money his party leader gave him for that will instead be used to repair Saint John’s basketball court and host two basketball tournaments. Meanwhile, the People’s United Party candidate, Dr. Lorna McKay, is aiming to break the UDP’s undefeated record in Queen Square.

 

Dr. Lorna Mckay, P.U.P. Candidate, Queen Square

“Actually it was an easy decision to make. I have been in politics from I was seventeen. I have campaigned for a period of time and I left it to do my career. But, as I retired I decided to come back in. When I returned it was always on the table for me to become a member of parliament.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What do you make of your chances in that constituency and what would ou see is key to getting the victory?”

 

Dr. Lorna Mckay,

“People are changing, people are coming over. I have quite a bit of U.D.P.s that have come over.”

 

Haylock points out that the drainage and streets in the constituency are in terrible shape, and he blames the PUP city council for it. He’s confident he’ll win the upcoming election.

 

Godwin Haylock

“My confidence can only be as strong as what I see out there. When I step into the homes, I am not a new face. They know me. They have been waiting for me. They want to see the pantry system returned, they want to see the education system get better, many things when it comes to our Queen Square Learning Resources Center, they want it equipped with computers, do more with that and that is my plan.”

In today’s social media era, Williams recently experienced a cyber-attack that caused Meta to deactivate his accounts. This setback has slowed his campaign, but he’s determined to finish strong.

 

Shane Williams

“My main thing to them is that on March thirteenth, the day after the election and we have seen it over and over, I can tell you on the day after the elections the office of the politicians are locked and they come around every so often. We need the type of leadership that is there every single day. I live in Queen Square. I am the only candidate in this race that lives in Queen Square, every night I go to sleep I see the things we need to work on when I wake up in the morning.”

 

Dr. Mckay argues that having the P.U.P. representing Queen Square will be more beneficial for the residents.

 

Dr. Lorna Mckay

“Actually there is no representation in the constituency right now. So, I believe if I win, I will be able to do a lot. There is no hpe in Queen Square and I am brining hope to Queen Square. There needs to be somebody that represents those people in Queen Square and I am that person  believe that can represent those people in Queen Square.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez