United Workers Party (UWP) election candidate for the Roseau Central Constituency, Juliette Shillingford, says she entered the race because she believes the capital city “deserves better” and wants to use her background as an urban planner to help transform Roseau into a greener, more functional and economically vibrant city. Speaking in an interview, Shillingford said she was motivated by a desire to move beyond simply criticizing the city’s challenges and instead become part of the solution.
Shillingford, who said she is from Roseau Central, argued that greater attention should have been given to the development of the capital over the years. She said Roseau has the potential to become a model for the Caribbean by successfully blending modern development with its rich heritage. Among her priorities are creating more green public spaces, rebuilding the Botanical Gardens, making the long-awaited public library a reality, improving streets and sidewalks to make the city more pedestrian-friendly, and addressing persistent parking and traffic congestion.
The UWP candidate also stressed the importance of investing in young people through education and sports, while focusing on improvements to the city’s physical infrastructure and overall economic development. She expressed concern over the number of businesses that have closed and the growing number of people selling goods from the backs of their vehicles, suggesting that affordable commercial spaces may not be readily available. Shillingford said she wants to stimulate small businesses, which she described as the backbone of the economy, and is currently meeting with residents to develop what she called a “people’s vision manifesto” outlining her plans for Roseau Central.
