First Panel Discussion Draws Rave Reviews, Missing Politicians Respond

The first panel discussion organized by the National Youth Parliament drew rave reviews from persons who viewed the debate.

Nerissa Golden of Discover Montserrat, who was in the audience, shared her reaction with ZJB News following the discussion, identifying the candidates who in her view had stand out performances.

The event was not however without controversy. Only four of the eight politicians scheduled to present showed up. Neither the three candidates from the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) nor the lone Montserrat United Labour Party Representative (MULP) participated.

The MULP Leader Peter Queeley issued a statement to the media on Tuesday October 30th, 2019 stating that he sent apologies about his party’s unavailability to participate in the scheduled events since last week. He said he was lost as to why the explanation was not communicated to the audience at the debate.

In an email trail shared with ZJB News, Queeley informed the organizers on Friday October 25th 2019 that the panel discussions clashed with the already planned political campaign schedule of the MULP. However, the MULP leader says the party now plans to rearrange their schedule to have its candidates represented in the remaining discussions.

ZJB News reached out the leader of the People’s Democratic Movement, the Honourable Paul Lewis about the PDM candidates no show at last night’s event. Minister Lewis says he has to date not received any invitation from the organizers. However, he confirmed that the PDM will be represented in the remaining debates although one will clash with the party’s launch on November 4th.

For that particular panel discussion, Minister Lewis says he has notified the organizers of the PDM’s intention to participate in the first 45 minutes of the event. The Montserrat National Congress Candidate Gregory “Sagga" Willock also echoed Mr. Queeley’s sentiments pertaining to the method of communication used to contact the candidates.

Willock said the mishaps will not discourage the Montserrat National Congress candidates from participating in the remaining debates. The next debate is scheduled for Monday November 4th 2019.