(RealNews)The United Progressive Party’s executive and membership are
sending up prayers and get-well wishes to one of its foundation
members and prominent figures: Hilson “Brother B” Baptiste.
Reports say the former Social Transformation and Agriculture
minister suffered a stroke on Monday, August 21, and is now
hospitalized at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.
Since the incident, Baptiste has been unable to speak, although he is
conscious, sources say.
Baptiste, who was the Party’s candidate for St. Mary’s South – and,
for several terms, its parliamentary representative – was also the
minister with responsibility for housing in the Baldwin Spencer
Cabinet.
Several weeks ago, the retired politician appeared on the platform
during a rally in St. Mary’s South to support the current UPP
candidate, Kelvin “Shugy” Simon.
The former UPP minister – who is widely known for his
outspokenness and fierce loyalty to the people of the South –
admitted, at the time, that he had not been feeling well.
However, he said, he had to come out to support Simon’s candidacy,
and he encouraged his former constituents to support Simon in the
upcoming by-election.
Before taking up politics full time, Baptiste was famous as the owner
and manager of a popular restaurant in St. John’s known by his alias,
“Brother B’s.”
