stjames

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 Progressive Liberal Party on Thursday night ratified 15 candidates for the upcoming general election, with the slate dominated by sitting members of Parliament.

Of the 15 candidates approved, 12 are incumbents, while only three are new faces. This lineup suggests continuity of government as the party pushes further into campaign mode.

Ratification formally confirms the party’s endorsement of candidates and shows who will contest constituencies under the PLP banner. While the move does not guarantee success at the polls, it is an important step in the election cycle and allows candidates to begin campaigning officially.

Incumbents have an advantage, including name recognition, established constituencies, and parliamentary experience. Several of the ratified candidates currently serve in the Cabinet.

At the same time, the small number of new candidates can suggest that the party opted for measured changes rather than a broad refresh of its team going into the election. The three newcomers were introduced in South Abaco (Bradley Fox), MICAL (Ronnel Armbrister) and St James (Owen Wells), indicating targeted decisions—new constituencies added to the electoral map, and a few parliamentarians the party decided to take off the ticket this time around.

Watch here the PLP ratification of its second round of candidates.

With fewer new faces on the slate, the party’s campaign is shaped largely by familiar figures. With no sweeping adjustments across the ballot, it is similar to the 2021 slate.

For incumbents, voters shift attention to their records in office, and campaigns focus more on past performance, constituency work, and visibility.

Voters may judge new candidates on their ideas and work in the constituencies.

Voters will decide the outcome of the campaign period ahead.

The PLP is expected to wrap up ratifications in other constituencies as preparations for the general election intensify.