Following the recent general election in Antigua and Barbuda, the nation’s newly formed Senate has held its historic first formal sitting, where Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant delivered a clear, compelling charge to all appointed senators: approach their public roles with intentional discipline, thorough preparation, and unwavering dedication to serving the national interest.
The address came immediately after the formal swearing-in ceremony for the new cohort of upper house legislators, where Williams-Grant emphasized that every senator carries a constitutionally mandated responsibility that demands the utmost gravity. She reminded members that the public holds high expectations for their work in the chamber, and that constituents across Antigua and Barbuda will be closely tracking every action, statement, and policy contribution they make. “The people are watching you,” she stressed, underscoring the accountability that comes with legislative office.
To help senators meet these public expectations, Williams-Grant called on all members to deepen their familiarity with the Senate’s standing orders, mastering the formal rules that structure debate, procedure, and interactions within the chamber. “When you come into this house, that is what’s guiding us,” she explained, highlighting even basic procedural distinctions that are critical to effective legislative work, such as the difference between a point of order and a point of elucidation.
Beyond procedural knowledge, the Senate President pushed members to prioritize ongoing training and professional growth, pushing back against the common misconception that an appointment to public office alone is sufficient preparation to serve effectively. “Training is important. So don’t close your mind that, ‘Hey, I’ve arrived, I’m a senator,’” she said. “There’s opportunity for growth and development” that all legislators should actively pursue throughout their tenures.
A central, uplifting theme of Williams-Grant’s opening address was the growing representation of young people in the nation’s parliamentary process. She highlighted the appointments of two youthful new senators, Shaquan O’Neal and Jonathan Wenner, both of whom cut their political teeth participating in the Parliament’s official Youth Parliament programmes.
Williams-Grant shared that seeing the two young legislators take their seats left her “overwhelmed” with pride, noting that their presence is a direct product of the legislative body’s years of youth outreach work. “The youth are the future of tomorrow. They are present now, they have a voice, they have a contribution to make,” she argued, pushing back against narratives that relegate young people to a secondary role in national governance.
She framed O’Neal and Wenner’s appointments as tangible proof that the Parliament’s investments in youth engagement are delivering meaningful results. Closing her address, Williams-Grant called for cross-partisan unity, urging all senators — regardless of their political affiliation — to collaborate on behalf of all people of Antigua and Barbuda. “What we need is a collective effort … to bring to focus all of the issues that affect people of Antigua and Barbuda,” she concluded.