MY MISSION
Constituency Body
I aim to set up a constituency body that will control the constituency allowance fund, this to allow initiatives that the community would feel would benefit from. This would be made up from elected members of both the ABLP, UPP, DNA and other independent individuals to allow appropriate balances and checks ensuring funds are not misappropriated. I would also look to appoint a representative from a business within the constituency that would also serve on the board to ensure transparency. Members would serve one year on the constituency board and then new members would be elected to serve the following year, as this would ensure that the body would be more vibrant and active, and members would not become complacent.
I also aim to have a townhall meeting once a month to ensure that I as your representative would face you the people to hear your views on what is working well and what is not working well to come up with viable solutions. I also feel it is important that each village within the constituency must feel valued and included so I propose that when there are constituency events that Newfield, Seatons, Willikies and Glanvilles have equal an equal number of events so as to build solid community bonding.
Utilities
I aim to tackle the issue of spiralling electricity bills within the community by having discussions with governmental officials and APUA to explore the installation of pre-paid smart metres, allowing households to take control of their own utility usage, this would allow households to make small regular payments rather than being levied with a large monthly or quarterly bill, allowing each household to take control of their own fiscal planning.
Tourism
I aim to bring together all entertainment businesses in the community such as restaurants, sound systems, singers and entertainers to encourage regular programs during the holiday season, showcasing our talents and enticing tourists to venture into the constituency to experience the culture that St. Phillips North has to offer, rather than tourists venturing outside the constituency to other tourist attractions and generating economic activity in other areas of the country which could be kept local in St Phillips North.
To assist with making this possible, I would like to speak to the various hotels, stakeholders and locals for them to assist in contributing towards providing shuttles and chaperones throughout the day and evening so that tourists can feel safe in venturing out into our constituency to enjoy their experiences. Given the vigorous tourism drive that has been spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture to increase the number of visitors to our shores, I would implore the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture to work in partnership with the constituents of St. Phillips North to brainstorm on how we can promote the tourism product more within the constituency.
Housing
I aim with the government and through a pilot scheme to explore prefabricated affordable homes. I will do so by consulting with a company who has experience with this venture which would not only provide modern and affordable homes for individuals within the constituency of St. Phillips North but would also provide employment opportunities and training skills for residents within the community. This would improve the aesthetics of the community by modernizing its appearance and infrastructure.
Sporting Facilities
I am to fully focus on the sporting structure within the constituency by assessing all football, cricket fields and basketball courts and to not only improve and develop them, but to consistently maintain them. I would also like to expand the facilities that we have and bring in athletics facilities for track and field, to introduce a tennis court, gym and boxing ring within the constituency. I believe that if we want to encourage our sporting enthusiasts to be positively focussed on their skills, we must provide the tools to enable them to not only represent our constituency to their fullest ability, but also represent Antigua and Barbuda internationally, but also remember opportunities presented started at home within the community.
Infrastructure
I am looking into exploring, with the government, the potential of an abattoir and poultry operation unit. I have partnered with a company in the United Kingdom who have already supplied drawings and plans. Having an abattoir within the constituency would allow St Phillips North to make a significant contribution to meat production within the country, this would allow control over the meat being supplied and ensuring it to be of a high standard, plus bringing down our dependency of meat being imported from overseas.
I also aim to explore options to build our own marina and fishing complex, allowing the young men and women for whom fishing is their livelihood, to be supported within their area of profession. This would complement the drive to assist the constituents to empower themselves through starting their own businesses such as restaurants, bars, entertainment which would not only improve on the standard of living for all within the constituency but would assist in getting us on the map more so when promoting Antigua and Barbuda.
I aim to modernize the aesthetics of the community and ensure that the infrastructure of our roads is continuously maintained. I aim to investigate the flow of traffic throughout the whole of the constituency and to address the issues of narrow roads by having consultations with both stakeholders and the community, I want to explore whether having a ‘one way system’ would be beneficial for some of the roads, by allowing cars and large articulated lorries to pass seamlessly throughout the community.
Overall
I aim to listen intently to all within the constituency, irrespective of their political persuasions, and work as a community to discuss and agree on how we can improve our beloved St Phillips North. I aim to have branch meetings on a monthly basis and have constituency surgeries every two weeks (evenings) to build on the relationship as your representative and to be easily accessible to all.
I therefore believe that with me as your chosen representative we can break barriers, expand our horizons, bring this constituency alive to be the vibrant area of which we all crave for. I therefore ask you for your support, I can assure you it will not be taken for granted. I aim to bring a newer more dynamic type of forward thinking in politics. I aim to involve you in every decision that will affect our constituency. With your support I seek to put forward your views, whether at national or international level. With me as your representative, irrespective of political persuasions, no one will be left behind, there will be a seat at the table for everyone as when or where everyone wins, we as a constituency win.
Let us build together, wake up the sleeping giant that is St Phillips North and show the rest of Antigua and Barbuda, the region and our international friends that whilst we might look small we roll heavy, and with me as your representative we will make positive movements.
Robin Yearwood Jr
“A New, A New Vision, A New Start”
To you, the wonderful people of St. Phillips North.
I feel that as we gear up to an important moment in the development of our beloved constituency, we will be faced with making an important decision, which will not only affect us, but also generations to come who will be eager to also have their footsteps embedded within an ever-evolving society. So we all, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters are responsible in making the right decisions to enable positive growth within the environment that we live in. We from St. Phillips North are renowned for striving to be the best, we do not accept anything but the best, as the notion remains stronger than ever ‘we are our brother’s keeper, we are our sisters’ keepers.
Since I have announced my candidacy to be considered as the next Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) Representative for St. Phillips North, I have been humbled by the support from individuals thus far, for that I am forever grateful. However, I have also taken on-board some of the concerns raised and I wish to address these for your consideration.
Nepotism / Family Legacy
Firstly, I address the concerns surrounding nepotism and family legacy that have been associated with my candidacy. I want to appeal to each and every one of you to consider not just my name, but my merits and ability to serve this constituency.
It is undeniable that my father, Sir Robin Yearwood, is a distinguished and long-serving parliamentarian, holding the record for the longest service in the history of Antigua and Barbuda. Whilst his accomplishments are commendable, I firmly believe that politics should not be an inheritance, nor should the concept of ‘I am entitled’ prevail in any profession or public office as these two concepts destroy the fabrics of democratic principles.
My decision to enter the political arena as a candidate arises from my own convictions, independent of my father's wishes and support. We may differ in our political views, but I see this as an opportunity to leverage our contrasting perspectives and to drive the change that St. Phillips North so desperately needs. Putting myself forward is not a hand-me-down situation; instead, it is an opportunity for me to prove myself, to demonstrate that I can bring fresh ideas, effect positive improvements, and contribute to the development of our constituency and country.
If my name were not Robin Yearwood Jr, would I not be given a fair chance based on my credentials alone? As a Willikies- raised, educated attorney, I possess the social skills and ability to bring people together from diverse backgrounds. I am capable of working towards a common goal, employing problem-solving skills to identify and overcome barriers hindering our community's growth. Where there are problems I create solutions. With these abilities that I possess, should it still be deemed inappropriate for me to be considered as the next candidate?
I firmly believe that if my last name were not Yearwood, the arguments of inheritance and nepotism would not cast a shadow over my candidacy as I would be judged solely on my plans and views for our community, which I am eager to present. I genuinely believe that these plans make me the most suitable candidate for the constituency of St. Phillips North.
Allow me to dedicate myself to outlining these plans as I genuinely look forward to discussing and implementing positive changes in our beloved constituency. If, given the opportunity to serve, I will strive to earn your respect, trust support and votes not only at the local constituency but nationally for the ABLP.
Community Building
Listening to you the people, I hear your concerns that the construction of a fire station was started over 20 years ago, and to date it has not been completed. Irrespective of which party is or was in Government this is totally unacceptable. I therefore intend as my first commitment to have a modern and fully functioning fire station in St. Phillips North, and to ensure that it has the necessary tools and vehicles to offer protection within the constituency. With this I would ensure that effective training for those employees stationed at the fire station would be given. In addition, I would look to having an ambulance and EMS point stationed within the vicinity to compliment the recently built clinic.
I am looking to set up a Community Centre that would be open to all and would offer support to constituents who may need assistance with reading, writing or other difficulties that they may have. It would offer children extra tutoring lessons if needed during examination periods and would provide information regarding summer camps that children can attend during school holidays. I also intend for this to assist tourists and locals by informing them of the attractions and social events that are scheduled to take place within the constituency.
Constituents within the community have voiced difficulty in not having certain governmental offices within the constituency
such as an APUA branch, and a social security branch to enable them to pay bills and to conduct their business locally. I plan to lobby the government and cabinet ministers to support the opening of these type of branches within St Phillips North.
Education and Employment
Speaking to the young men and women that have completed their CXC programs and who are the future leaders of our country, I note they now feel they are at a standstill on whether to pursue further education or take the big leap into gainful employment, but with a lack of experience, may not find the job opportunities available to them. I intend to promote work experience and entrepreneurial programs for students in secondary schools and colleges. I aim to achieve this by teaming up with local businesses in the community and government departments to offer students and individuals within the constituency placement programs. For those who may not feel further education is for them, but find themselves unoccupied, rather than hanging around and maybe getting themselves into trouble, these programs would allow them to develop skills, gain experience to help them to take the step into employment. These placements would range from construction, farming, electrical, plumbing, childcare, hospitality, fishing and sports. I believe that having positive opportunities for young people, no matter how small, is a positive step for their emotional discipline in a working environment. I aim to bridge the gap and speak up for more of the disenfranchised youth that feel neglected and left out.
Speaking to child carers and schools within the constituency, I gather there is a need to further assist schools by providing them with the tools and assistance in understanding the needs of children with special needs such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I aim to work with the Ministry of Education to advocate for qualified support workers to work closely with the schools and nurseries within the St. Phillips North Constituency to provide more relevant and additional support for these children, and engaging in more international charities who aim to focus on assisting small communities in developing educational systems with the focal point being special need children.
To assist single parent families and low-income households, I seek to provide a childcare voucher system which would offer 30 hours’ worth of childcare a week, for nursery aged children. I also aim to offer structured and entertaining holiday programs for school children and regular social meets for the elderly to make them feel an integral part of the social community.
