St Helena is preparing for its second election under the new Ministerial System of Governance. While official nominations are still pending, two prominent figures, Andrew Turner and Robert Midwinter, have already publicly declared their intention to stand for re-election, setting the stage for what promises to be a keenly contested race.
The South Atlantic Media Service and The Sentinel have reported widespread speculation, with “over 20 names in the hat” rumoured to run. This indicates a potential repeat of the record-breaking number of candidates who stood in the 2021 election. The rumoured candidates include former council members seeking re-election, individuals who were not elected in 2021, and a host of fresh faces eager to represent our Island.
The returning Officer confirmed to the Sentinel that, despite the numerous rumours, no official nominations have been submitted. Prospective candidates must be on the register of electors (effective from July 1) and be over 21 years of age. All nominations must be submitted by 12 noon on Wednesday the 20th August.
With twelve seats available on the Legislative Council, a strong turnout of candidates, as suggested by the rumours, will undoubtedly lead to St Helena going to the polls.
Andrew Turner has formally announced his intention to seek re-election, emphasising a platform of “our island, our say.” He highlights his privilege in representing the community through “great challenge and change,” vowing to approach his role with “honesty, determination, and the belief that public service should mean just that serving the public.”
Andrew acknowledges a growing sense of disillusionment among the community, stating that “the voices of the people are not being heard” His campaign aims to reverse this trend by “putting people back in control of their future,” asserting that “our island doesn’t belong to politicians. It belongs to all of us.” He advocates for decisions to be made with the people, not for them, promising “better outcomes” and “participation” rather than just promises. Turner’s message is clear: “Let’s take the wheel. Let’s have our say. Let’s shape our future together.”
Also committing to re-election is Robert Midwinter, fulfilling a pledge he made in 2021. Rob (as he is known locally) is currently taking a short break from politics to spend time with his family but has stated he will provide a more detailed campaign contribution in the coming weeks. His initial key areas of focus are Health, Education, and Economic Development, in particular Agriculture and Fisheries.
Rob’s overarching message stresses the importance of political stability in times of global uncertainty, advocating for continued progress in respect of implementing the Ministerial system of governance, with “no going backwards, we need to keep moving forwards.” as one of his key messages. In response to public queries about whether members of the recently dissolved Legislative Council stood by their 2021 commitments, Midwinter, a “stickler” for factual based decision making” has pointed out via social media that copies of previous pledges are still available online through the St Helena Independent’s newspaper archive, this proactive transparency underscores his commitment to accountability and informed voter choice.
As the nomination deadline approaches and the full list of candidates emerges, the 2025 St Helena General Election is shaping up to be a dynamic and significant event for the island’s future governance.
Who else might be putting themselves forward to be in the running for the next St Helena election? What do you want your next elected member to champion?