Harold Lovell Eyeing City East? PM Browne Speculates on UPP’s Next Move
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has claimed that former United Progressive Party (UPP) leader Harold Lovell may be considering a return to active politics, potentially running in the St. John’s City East constituency.
Browne made the assertion during a recent broadcast, where he questioned the viability of such a move and cast doubt on the opposition’s strategy.
“Lovell is apparently thinking of running in City East,” Browne said. “But the question is, what does he bring to the table that’s different from his past failures? This isn’t the answer to the UPP’s leadership vacuum.”
The Prime Minister described the idea of Lovell contesting another election as a sign of the UPP’s desperation, accusing the party of relying on “recycled leadership” instead of offering new ideas or candidates.
Lovell, who previously served as Minister of Finance and UPP leader, has been a polarizing figure, with his share of electoral losses and arguable economic policies during his time in office.
“This would be an act of nostalgia, not progress,” Browne remarked. “If the UPP truly believed in the future, they wouldn’t be digging up their past.”
St. John’s City East is currently represented by the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) Melford Nicholas, the Minister of Information, who has held the seat since 2014.
Browne expressed confidence that the ABLP’s record in the constituency would make it difficult for the UPP to gain traction, even with a seasoned candidate like Lovell.
“The people of City East are well aware of what this government has delivered,” Browne said. “A Lovell candidacy won’t change their loyalty to real results.”
The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to criticize the UPP’s broader leadership dynamics, taking aim at Senator Pearl Quinn-Williams and other potential candidates. He alleged that infighting and disorganization within the party were preventing it from presenting a unified front.
“Instead of moving forward, they’re stuck in reverse,” Browne quipped.
Neither Lovell nor the UPP has commented on Browne’s claims about a possible run in City East.
Lovell, born on September 27, 1955, in St. John’s, Antigua, has been a prominent figure in Antiguan politics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Geology from the University of the West Indies and later qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from Thames Valley University and Middle Temple. Additionally, he earned a Master’s degree in Jurisprudence from the University of Birmingham.
His political career includes serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs from August 2004 to January 2005, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and notably as Minister of Finance, the Economy, and Public Administration from 2009 to 2014. During his tenure in finance, Lovell navigated the country through the global financial crisis, implementing measures to stabilize the economy.
In the 2023 general elections, Lovell led the UPP but was unsuccessful in securing the St. John’s City East seat, losing by a narrow margin of six votes to Information Minister Melford Nicholas. Subsequently, he resigned as UPP leader, stating that it was time for a “fresh start” for the party.
Despite stepping down from active politics, Lovell remained involved as an advisor to the UPP. In August 2024, he addressed calls for his return, particularly to contest the All Saints West constituency, but declined, expressing his commitment to supporting the party’s selected candidates and focusing on mentorship roles.
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Nat he again!!!
The name Lovell really spares Gaston Browne.
Gaston, Lovell is younger than Cutie Benjamin. He is more respected in the jnter national world than ALL of your cabinet colleagues. He has more scruples and is much more patriotic than any of your cabinet members and you. Is your attack on him out of fear or concern? Why do you believe that you can dictate what happens in athe UPP when the ALP is running like a strip club with no rules and constitution. Are you fearful that if Lovell returns all the purple members of your government will jump right back into the UPP? Come on!!! Don’t expose your rear like that!!!!!
Pearl is much more eloquent a d articulate than Maria Bird-Browne. Hope i got the name right since Sean Bird told us that she should find her correct lineage.
Wet your hands and wait for the UPP. If you are so confident why not call a snap elections???
I do not believe Lovell ever lost fairly to Nicholas we all know what the ABLP is famous for. When the Lickspittle Brigade reads this they will come with daggers drawn
Stay with Trudeau and help to mash up Canada!!! Antigua has had enough of Mr. Mashup
WORST FINANCE MINISTER
WORST TOURISM MINISTER
IMF ROMANTIC RHYTHMS WADADLI POWER CAN’T ABST HOTEL RIPOFF ABIB COLLAPSER BANKING-SECTOR COLLAPSER ANTI-UWI FIVE ISLANDS CAMPUS BAICO COLLAPSER ETC
No one ever scares Gaston Browne not even Badwin 2004 Spencer and no one cares of Horrorable Looser Educación Antigua and Barbuda no want Garbage Políticas Waste Hatevell not Lovell but Hatevell let him come it will be Star number 4 for Honourable Minister Melford Nicholas!
Last night at Peres Shaun Nicholas was eloquent and sound. A well planned speech. I am still thinking not having her in Parliament lower house was a lost to Antigua. Also George Whenner was brilliant as well. The UPP had a very good campaign going on at St.Peters. The message of after all the years that ABLP has held onto the seat and cannot point to a single structure, a single area of development to show for all these you decades of representation. The give away of the surrounding lands to foreign investors for popcorn and poor agreements are shameful
With that said I don’t see UPP nearly coming close to win this seat. This is simply because the ABLP now has the momentum. That after the convention the UPP imploded. In fact last evening was the best showing of solidarity for the UPP party for quite a while.
I hope that after this by-election win,loose or draw we will see a better UPP going forward. This will be better for Antigua and Barbuda as a nation.
You are really stuck in LaLa Land!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
you think a few regurgitated “speeches” can men a BROKEN VESSEL??? The problem is still the leaderSHIT of CHAOS DEMON & her LITTLE BLACK BOY PUPPET!!!! Unless and until these 2 are gone, there is no hope for “a better UPP going forward”.
Now take your head out your ass and face reality!!!
He aint no Lester Bird…the only come back kiddd
Sounds to me like some people are scared 😱 of harold lovell!!
Alwaysup Inna upp Business..
Looks kso to me like some people are running scared!!
Come back harold, come back!
Useful idiots!
Red kool-aid stupidity!
aint nobody scared of anyone with a bad heart or tiny sausage
Harold to come back??? Fi go whey? Fi do wha’?
Is that why APUA”s plot of no water and on-again off-again electricity has manifested itself at this time, to give Loser Lovell an advantage over Melford? Their child’s play is so obvious.