Ex-UBP official Sullivan to run in Devonshire South Central

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4: Former UBP deputy chairman David Sullivan is to stand against OBA leader Craig Cannonier in Devonshire South Central, he announced today.

Mr Sullivan will fight as an Independent in the contest, caused by the resignation of long-time MP John Barritt, who stood down as an MP and leader of the OBA after Mr Cannonier won the post at the party’s first conference.

Mr Sullivan voiced disquiet at the “parachuting” of Mr Cannonier into what was a safe UBP seat before Mr Barritt signed up with the OBA.

His decision to stand could throw a wrench in the OBA’s works if he takes enough votes from Mr Cannonier — boosting PLP candidate Anthony Richardson’s chances.

Mr Sullivan said: “After consulting widely with the constituents of Devonshire South Central, I have been encouraged to provide a real choice for the voters of this constituency.

“The blatant disregard by both the ruling party and the newly-formed political party in assuming that they could send any candidate from outside the constituency and the voters would just settle for it is a gross miscalculation.”

The leader of the official Opposition is required to hold a seat in the House of Assembly.

Mr Sullivan said: “Parachuting of candidates into a constituency has proven to be very unsuccessful. Frankly, I’m surprised that the newest political party, for all its protests that it’s not the UBP, would embrace one of the major failed policies of the now-defunct UBP.

“I am fully aware of the additional challenges that an Independent candidate incurs in running. The party system, however, is clearly broken and is in dire need of repair.”

He said that controversy generated by the PLP’s candidate selection process, the UBP breakaway party, the BDA and the formation of the new party all pointed to a need for alternatives.

Mr Sullivan added: “The voters of Devonshire South Central… should not be forced to settle for a candidate. They have a right to a choice.”

The by-election is on November 1.