Harold Lovell Denounces Anthony Smith’s Defection to ABLP: Calls for Judicial Review and Political Integrity
Former United Progressive Party (UPP) leader Harold Lovell has fiercely condemned Anthony Smith’s decision to join the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) administration, labeling the move as a betrayal of the party and its constituents. In a strongly worded statement, Lovell called for a judicial review of the situation, emphasizing the need to preserve the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s political system.
“This is not just about Anthony Smith. This is about upholding the very principles of democracy in Antigua and Barbuda,” Lovell declared. “When a representative who has been elected under one party banner suddenly decides to cross the floor, it raises serious questions—questions that demand answers from our legal system.”
Lovell pointed to Antigua and Barbuda’s unique constitutional provisions, which prevent elected members from crossing the floor without consequence. “Our Constitution is clear,” Lovell asserted. “If you resign from your party, you cannot simply switch sides and continue to hold your seat. This is not a loophole to be exploited; it’s a safeguard for our democracy. Yet, we find ourselves in a situation where this very principle is being challenged, and I fully support those in the constituency who are pursuing a legal challenge to this.”
Lovell did not hold back in criticizing the transactional nature of Smith’s defection, calling it an affront to the ideals of public service. “This was not about principles, ideals, or a genuine change of heart. This was about money and personal gain,” he said. “Smith himself admitted to me that he was offered $6 million—not just in cash but also in contracts. Initially, he claimed to have refused, but clearly, something changed. This kind of political bribery undermines the very fabric of our democracy.”
Lovell expressed his shock at Smith’s sudden shift, especially after Smith had participated in party activities just days before his defection. “He was at our General Council meeting, he was at our small business pull-up in Willikies. He looked us in the eye and led us to believe he was committed to our cause. And yet, within days, he turned his back on everything the UPP stands for,” Lovell said. “I was convinced it was fake news until the reality hit. This is the kind of betrayal that shakes your faith in people.”
The former UPP leader also highlighted the broader implications of Smith’s defection for the political landscape in Antigua and Barbuda. “Let’s be clear, this was not just a personal decision by Anthony Smith. This was a calculated move by the ABLP to shore up their numbers in Parliament,” Lovell argued. “With MP Melford Nicholas unable to attend Parliament, the government needed to secure their voting strength, and they were willing to use any means necessary. It’s not about governance or serving the people; it’s about clinging to power at all costs.”
Despite the setback, Lovell remains optimistic about the future of the UPP, noting increased interest in the St. Philip’s North constituency. “The betrayal by Smith has actually energized our base. We’ve had new people stepping forward, eager to represent the UPP, and others joining the branch,” he said. “It has brought to light the issues that plague our political system—the corruption, the underhanded deals, the lack of genuine commitment to the people.”
Lovell concluded by urging the public to support the legal challenge against Smith’s floor-crossing. “This isn’t just about one man or one seat. This is about the integrity of our entire political system. We need to send a clear message that our democracy is not for sale, and that the will of the people cannot be bought,” he said. “I stand with those who are fighting this in court, and I believe that justice will prevail. The people of Antigua and Barbuda deserve better, and we will not stop until we get it.”
With the legal challenge now underway, Lovell and the UPP are determined to see this issue through, confident that the courts will uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution and protect the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s democracy.
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when will you denounce the TOXIC behaviour of the Lipstick HAG??????? Surely you realize that SHE is the problem in the upp! but carry on……continue to delude yourself boss
who takes Lovell serious ? He is a “ SPENT FORCE ). Lovell will mentor how to lose elections. It shows desperation within UPP.
The DISLOYALTY and DISHONESTY WITHIN UPP are as follows
SERPENT
SHUGY
RICHARD LEWIS ( Gaston waiting for a reply for HIGH COMMISSIONER TO JAMAICA )
We do not want Serpent and Shugy ( according to YOUNG DESTROYER ) let Them die with UPP.
@Once you back richard, SHE HATES YOU!!!!!
I think you are mistaken: A FU U MOOMA A DE HAG that brought you the PIGLET and siblings in this world. U NA HAB NO WORK FU DO.
I guess with all the ‘ Enrichment funds’ and stolen BARBUDA HURRICANE money that he can definitely afford to pay you minions to blog online and just wait for Antigua newsroom to bring out a story that you can jump on and twist up to show your boss that you are working for your money. WHAT A HAG JOB
wait! Where is Lovell wife? At his age he ought to be spending time pleasing his wife and family. No photos of Mrs. Lovell ever shared publicly? Why not?
Anthony Smith and Richard Lewis have photos with their wives. Mr. Pringle is yet to marry. Mr. Lovell, stay out of the spotlight and cuddle up to your wifey.
Woiiii🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭💀☠️
Hush up you mouth!
Useful idiot!
Nag, Nag, nag..
Aren’t you tired?
Geez!!!!!
And Lovell is supposed to be a lawyer..Go and read the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda. Poor you. Failed politician and obviously failed lawyer.
a lawyer??????????? how successful of a lawyer is he???? Clients flock to him? How many cases he won?
he calling for the wrong thing. he need to call for a review of the political integrity of UPP starting with the chairMAN. she is the cancer killing the party.
@ Real Talk
Keep out of UPP business and go and find solutions for the CRIME situation in Antigua. Use your energies on such because you will surely need it after the next election.
CRIME AND THIS COUNTRY ARE OUT OF CONTROL.
Harold also remember you’re not 20 anymore and you’re married so leave the young ladies alone, stop playing sharp man, leave that to Pringle, Serpent and Shuggy that running competition for woman front!
Thank you your Most Honourable Harold Lovell. You supplied the nation of not only insider knowledge, but also the machinations and inner workings of the UPP when you say about Anthony Smith:
“Smith had participated in [UPP] party activities just days before his defection …”
And there’s even more monetary connivance:
“Smith himself admitted to me that he was offered $6 million …”
Let me hear what the ABLP supporters have to say about this without cat-calling, incoherent babbling or sideswiping swearwords (by the way, not you Dave Ray – you’ve got a brain).
LET’S GO ACOLYTES … 😁
This clown has scarred Antigua and Barbuda for life: WADADLI POWER CANT
“Andre Matthias, said the plant at Crabbes, which was commissioned in 2011, was decommissioned five years later in 2016.” [Power plants normally have a 20 to 30 year lifespan.]
https://antiguanewsroom.com/apua-announces-closure-of-the-wadadli-power-plant/
However @ Truth Be Told, you INTENTIONALLY forgot to mention that the ABLP had a decade or so beforehand to resolve not only this power plant, but up and down the country as well.
ABLP aren’t blameless in any of this, and why didn’t they recommissioned the plant when they returned to power in 2014?
Am I missing something here???
@Brixtonian
you sound as dumb as your name!!!!! even Pringle smarter than you and he interacts with dead dogs for a living!
Well @ Truth, respond in kind instead of showing your ignorance by name calling.
If I was given one dollar everytime someone on these ANR threads couldn’t debate or correspond intelligently with me I’d be a millionaire by now.
If I’m wrong then explain your damn self nah!
Remember, alligator 🐊 shouldn’t call hog 🐗 long mout’ …
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