St. George MP Algernon “Serpent” Watts says the decision to surrender the premises that housed his Branch office in Potters was financially prudent.

“As I had expected, this has become political fodder,” Watts says. “But it was simply an expense that neither the Branch nor my constituency allowance of $2,000 a month could sustain any longer.

“Given how the cost of living has eroded people’s spending power – which, in turn, has increased demands on me for assistance – we had to let the building go. It is way more important at this time to be in the position to help my constituents survive,” Watts explains.

“Like families and small businesses all over this country, we had to prioritize. We couldn’t allow the rent to run up to $12 million, like other folks do,” the St. George representative says.

Other members of the Party’s leadership note that commercial rental fees are very high, and this is why, outside the election campaign season, it is extremely challenging for Branches to sustain offices.

They add that the political spin from detractors was expected; but it will not distract the Party from the pressing national issues at hand – such as the poor roads, the shortage of water, and the use of taxpayers’ money to pay private legal fees related to the _Alfa Nero_ challenges.