ABLP candidate Michael Freeland has pledged to prioritise job creation, housing access and continued infrastructure development across St. George within his first 100 days in office, should he win a seat in the April 30 general election.
According to Antigua News Room, Freeland outlined these three immediate priorities during a "Know Your Candidates" interview held ahead of the vote, describing them as the most pressing concerns raised by constituents.
On housing and land access, Freeland said the demand — particularly among younger residents — has been significant. "I would say the land, housing and land stock," he said when asked to name his top priorities. "I've gotten numerous requests, especially with young people wanting to own their own opportunities."
Freeland indicated that part of his early focus would be identifying and expanding opportunities for land allocation and housing development, viewing home ownership as a key pathway to economic stability for younger constituents.
On employment, Freeland proposed a structured approach to connecting St. George residents with jobs, including the hosting of job fairs and matching initiatives designed to place residents into work quickly. "Trying to find those opportunities and creating even new opportunities so that they can acquire housing or land," he said, directly linking employment to broader economic mobility.
He set an ambitious early benchmark for his tenure. "Seeing how many individuals from St. George you can get employed within the first 100 days, creating those job experiences," Freeland said.
The third pillar of his plan focuses on maintaining momentum on infrastructure works already underway in the constituency, including road and drainage improvements that residents have long called for. "Just continue the infrastructural work to show persons… that you have not fallen off the cliff," he said. "You're continuing the progress, you're continuing the work."
Freeland acknowledged that some voters may associate recent development activity in the constituency with the approaching election. He argued, however, that delivering results after the vote would be the most effective way to build public trust. "You have to show them, you have to prove to them that, look, you're leading the fight for them," he said.
St. George remains one of the most closely watched constituencies heading into the general election, with both major parties presenting competing plans for jobs, housing and infrastructure development.
