One day after Central Leeward MP, Orando Brewser promised “licks” for his challenger, Conroy “Mix” Huggins of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), Huggins said he was happy that the Housing Minster had found his voice after almost five years in office.
Huggins restated the challenge he first made last year for Brewster to debate him in each of the three main communities in Central Leeward about the performance of the Unity Labour Party (ULP) in Central Leeward compared to when the NDP was in office, for the 17 years ending 2001.
Huggins, a first-time candidate is scheduled to challenge Brewster, who is seeking a second five-year term in office, in a general election widely expected by November, ahead of the February 2026 deadline.
Speaking at the ULP’s rally on Sunday in Rabacca to celebrate 24 years in office, Brewster, referring to Huggins by his alias, “Mix”, promised him “licks” at the polls.
Huggins responded on Monday on the NDP’s daytime show on NICE Radio, saying, “I realise that my brother, Brewster, came to life, and he found his voice. … Because since I was selected in September of 2024, he has been going around like a headless chicken.”
Huggins said Brewster, his leader, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who is also the leader of the ULP, along with former Central Leeward MP, Sir Louis Straker “have been going around in a headless manner with the kind of work that I have been doing on my team in Central Leeward”.
Huggins said his team held a consultation in Keartons, “And the persons there they gave excellent, excellent ideas.
“They express their concerns about the community, what has been happening, and the things that they want to see happen.”
He said that after the event, they went to where the ULP was “having some kind of function there, and the thing literally flopped.
“All the vehicles that we saw in the area were vehicles from people that came in from outside the constituency. So, the people in Barrouallie, they basically said this guy, they haven’t seen him in four years,” Huggins said, referring to Brewster.
“… his office actually opened a week after I was selected by the NDP and he has been trying to go around now, but everywhere he goes, the people are telling him, you’re coming after Huggins and you’re wasting your time.”
Huggins pointed out that in October, one month after he was selected as the NDP’s candidate, he issued a public challenge on WE FM for Brewster to debate him.
“He didn’t respond to me. Then I challenged him back in January and February to a three-series debate on live television, live streamed, one in Barrouallie, one in Layou and one in Buccament,” Huggins further said.
“And I said to him, ‘Brother, I will present what the NDP did in Central Leeward over their 17 years, you can present over your 24 years and especially your last four years. And then we will both present on our plans for the constituency going forward.”
Huggins said Brewster never responded to him.
“… but yesterday he found his voice saying that he ready to give me licks. So, I am just putting out the challenge, and I’m sorting the record this, and somebody will get the message to tell him I am ready to take him on. So, once he can handle me, let him come.”
Huggins seemed doubtful that Brewster would take him up on the challenge to debate, saying that the prime minister was unwilling to debate Opposition Leader Godwin Friday.
“I am ready to take on this guy in Central Leeward, live debate, any day, anytime, anywhere. I will defend the 17 years of NDP representation in Central and the 10 years of Sir Hurbs (Herbert Young) representation in Central Leeward,” Huggins further said, referring to the former MP for the area under the NDP administration.
“I could defend it because excellent work were done during that time,” Huggins said, adding, “The roads in Central Leeward were done during that time, the playing fields, infrastructural development; I could defend it all. So, a lot of what they have going on is successes from the NDP time, and I know that, so I am ready.”
Attorney General, Grenville Williams, the ULP’s South Leeward candidate has also challenged MP Nigel “Nature” Stephenson, who has been representing the constituency since 2010 to a debate.
Lavern King, the NDP’s spokesperson, has said that the NDP’s candidates are willing to debate their ULP counterparts.
OK Brewster, why not accept the challenge to debate Huggins? What are you afraid of? I believe Huggins should visit the people and let them tell him what hurts and how he will address it.
I listen to people in Layou talking about what Herby did for his constituency and that’s great.
Friday should also name his ministers in waiting so they can tell the people how they intend to handle their post. This will show he’s not “Mr. Know ALL”, like Ralph and want to be a dictator.
dem know de capabilities of dem massa evil wicked dictator , dat mek dem ah say and behave like dat.