stbarnabas

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.

One of the most closely watched area heading into the 2026 general election is St. James, a brand-new constituency that could show early hints about political sentiments in western New Providence.

The Free National Movement has sent Shanendon Cartwright as its standard bearer. A two-term MP for St. Barnabas, Cartwright brings experience into a constituency where no incumbent advantage exists.

On the other side, the Progressive Liberal Party is backing Owen Wells, a newcomer to frontline politics, a possible strategy to introduce a fresh face in the new area.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Independents is entering the race with Latoya Bain, aiming to tap into voter frustration with the traditional two-party system but this is a sentiment that has yet to translate into parliamentary seats.

Formed as part of boundary changes aimed at addressing population growth and voter balance, St. James brings together 5,149 registered voters from a mix of established and growing communities. These include Adelaide, Coral Harbour, Renaissance, Dignity Gardens, Southwest Ridge, Jacaranda, Serenity, Mount Pleasant Village, and parts of South Ocean, areas previously split between Killarney and Golden Isles.

It has no election history and no entrenched voting pattern, but a mix of communities with various needs.

It increases the total number of constituencies from 39 to 41.

The race in St Barnabas has narrowed.

After Coalition of Independents hopeful Valentino McKenzie announced he is stepping aside, the contest, at least for now, appears to be between Michael Halkitis of the Progressive Liberal Party and Jamal Moss, the Free National Movement’s standard bearer.

McKenzie said it was an honour to walk the journey with the residents, but confirmed he would no longer be contesting the seat. It remains unclear whether the COI will ratify a replacement candidate.

St Barnabas is no stranger to tight races.

In 2021, Halkitis contested the constituency but lost to FNM candidate Shanendon Cartwright by just 111 votes — one of the narrowest margins in that election. Cartwright has since been ratified to contest St James, leaving St Barnabas without its incumbent MP.

For Halkitis, this is another chapter in a political career marked by both wins and losses. He won Golden Isles in 2012, lost it in 2017, and then fell short again in St Barnabas in 2021. Now, he remains in the constituency seeking redemption.

Moss, a former FNM senator, enters the race as a frontline candidate for the first time in this seat. While not new to politics, he is new to campaigning in St Barnabas as the party’s standard bearer.

The constituency itself faces persistent social and economic challenges.

With the third-party candidate out, for now, the dynamics could shift. If it remains a straight PLP-FNM contest, St Barnabas may once again come down to turnout and ground campaign.

And if 2021 is any guide, every vote will matter.