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Shanendon Cartwright, deputy leader of the Free National Movement, is seeking to capture the newly created St James constituency, a seat formed by the Boundaries Commission and one that carries no established voting history.

Cartwright is not new to political success. He previously served two terms as MP for St Barnabas from 2017 to 2026, building a reputation among many constituents for strong visibility and active representation. His support base in that area became one of his strengths, with many voters openly praising his accessibility and constituency work.

Now St James presents a different challenge.

Unlike traditional constituencies with clear party patterns, St James is a newly configured seat made up of sections from Killarney and Golden Isles.

The constituency has no voting history and no tested party or candidate loyalty.

This election becomes a test of whether Cartwright’s appeal is transferable beyond the boundaries of St Barnabas.

As deputy leader of the FNM, the stakes are even higher. A victory would reinforce his standing within the party and strengthen perceptions that he remains one of the FNM’s key future figures.

Winning a brand-new constituency would also suggest that his support is tied not just to constituencies, but to his personal political brand.

A loss, however, would trigger harder questions.

Can a deputy leader afford to lose a new seat in a general election?

It remains to be seen whether Cartwright can prove he is politically strong enough to win beyond St Barnabas, which first made him successful.

As the 2026 General Election draws near, the creation of two new constituencies, Bimini & Berry Islands and St. James has sparked questions about fairness in voting. Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper says the changes are meant to balance voter numbers. But some critics are asking: Is this gerrymandering?

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is when political boundaries are drawn in a way that gives an advantage to one party over another. It usually involves “packing” voters of one type into a single area or “cracking” them across several areas to dilute their influence. The goal is to shape election results, sometimes at the expense of fair representation.

What’s happening?

The government says St. James was created by combining parts of Golden Isles and Killarney because those areas had far more voters than average, around 15,000–16,000, compared to the roughly 5,000 voters in most constituencies. On the surface, this looks like an effort to make voting more equal.

But critics say timing matters. The new boundaries come just before an election, which naturally raises questions about whether the changes could favor certain parties or candidates. While there is no clear evidence of political manipulation yet, the situation highlights why transparency in boundary decisions is important.

Why it matters to voters

For everyday citizens, gerrymandering can affect whose voices are heard in Parliament and how much influence your vote carries. Understanding these changes helps voters hold leaders accountable.

Balanced representation is key to a healthy democracy and voters have a right to know how the lines are drawn.