PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release: March 11, 2024
Contact: 725-0000 Hon. Jamale Pringle responds to Media Queries
Subsequent to calls from several media in relation to an online report in which MP Richard Lewis was endorsed by nine members of the United Progressive Party’s recent election slate, I wish to put on record the following:
I had no advice to that effect from the group, nor any individual within the group, regarding their decision; and the publication of these letters came as a surprise to me, as it did to most Party Members and supporters.
I had no prior discussion with the members of the group prior to the writing of these letters or their publication.
My understanding was that all campaigning for the position of Political Leader was to remain internal – within the Party – as directed by the Convention Planning Committee and endorsed by the Party’s Central Executive on which all Parliamentarians sit.
My singular concern is the health of the Party and the attendant confidence of its Members and Supporters in my actions.
As I demonstrated in 2009 and again in 2014, the good of the United Progressive Party comes ahead of my personal feelings and ambitions and will continue to do so.
I will also continue – as I began in 2018 – to defend the Party, and the People who have put their trust in the UPP, against the ploys of the Antigua Labour Party, and I encourage our loyal supporters to do the same.
Long live the United Progressive Party!
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Pringle all the way.
all the way back to KINDERGARTEN to go over HOOKED-ON-PHONICS!!!
iShawna haffu shame…..what a disgrace!!! Somebody had to read him the fine print in the UPP contract to pick up dead dogs???
I wonder who wrote this.
What are we to make of this release?
Very weird isn’t it?
More questions than answers after reading this statement.
Hon. Pringle now needs to answer some questions because not everyone in the public is totally ignorant of the convention process
1. Given the UPP Convention votes are placed by 24 delegates from each of the 16 branches, the Womens’ League and Youth League (18 party bodies in total, sending 432 voters to the convention), do you really expect the media would not have picked up on any mass communications sent?
Antigua is a small place. All sorts of things always get to media. ALP polls. UPP polls. ALP group chats (like Gaston dressing down the embattled Dean Jonas). UPP group chats. All sorts. Does Pringle live in some alternate reality to the rest of us?
2. Is Hon. Pringle claiming, as seems to be the case, that sharing plans and endorsements with party members is some sort of violation?
If this is so, then I cannot respect any such gag order in any political party that claims to be truly democratic. Don’t party members and the actual voters at convention deserve to cast their vote based on actual issues and plans? Isn’t that what the UPP is all about? Consultation and all that.
3. If the convention rules prohibit sending communications to the media, as Pringle suggests. Then isn’t this press release and the allegations it makes also against the same rules?
And if this press release has violated the rules, what discipline is the party leadership willing to impose on Hon. Pringle?
Talk to us Hon. Pringle! I’ll be looking forward to the next press release Wednesday 8am
The Hin. Richard Lewis is the best man to lead this party…keep up the good work Mr Lewis soma of them should take a page out of your book , read it and do what they should do
After reading this I am going to go out on a limb and say that either Pringle is lying and trying to accuse his fellow colleagues of backstabbing him. Or he is seriously out of touch with what if going on within the UPP. Either way, I cannot see him as a good leader if he cannot inspire confidence in his team. It also begs the question of what rock was he hiding under. The math not mathing.
One long Chuuupes. They dont want you.
“As I demonstrated in 2009 and again in 2014, the good of the United Progressive Party comes ahead of my personal feelings and ambitions and will continue to do so”.
“I will also continue – as I began in 2018 – to defend the Party, and the People who have put their trust in the UPP, against the ploys of the Antigua Labour Party, and I encourage OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS TO DO THE SAME”.
It look like they played their hands too early (hmmm).
This is how a mature, professional person responds. Well said.
As I previously stated it’s malicious and disrespectful of those letters were made public without first sanctioned by the party
I was schooled that’s wise campaigning on RICHARD LEWIS part that everyone knows that’s he Teflon runner bcos he supposedly Ben endorsed within to therefore prove to PRINGLE ….EVERYONE ONE WANTS LEWIS TO LEAD
THE CONVENTION DDNT EVEN STARTED AND THESE LETTERS WERE DISRESPECTFUL
SO it give the notion to who ain’t on board to get on board
Richard Lewis should be held accountable and be disciplined
The letters weren’t even typed on UPP letter head but RICHARD LEWIS LETTERHEAD
This is what Gaston lives for party contentions & party mudslinging.
What are you talking about?
The endorsement letters don’t have a Richard Lewis or any other letterhead.
Why have you said this when you know its a lie?
Anyone who isn’t blind can simply look at the photos and see that you are lying:
https://antiguanewsroom.com/upp-leadership-race-intensifies-as-richard-lewis-secures-key-and-major-endorsements/
Some of you commenters are just something else. SMH
Mr Pringle from the start could have quell this thing by saying he had been the interim leader for do long in light of his political experience been in it’s infancy, and is glad to pass the mantle on to someone else. Don’t make yourself appear in an imagery of power lusting.
Well Hon. Pringle, you know now!
Ultimately what difference does it make?
I would be curious to hear Pringle’s response to a few questions:
1. Given the UPP Convention votes are placed by 24 delegates from each of the 16 branches, the Womens’ League and Youth League (18 party bodies in total, sending 432 voters to the convention), do you really expect the media would not have picked up on any mass communications sent?
Antigua is a small place. All sorts of things always get to media. ALP polls. UPP polls. ALP group chats (like Gaston dressing down the embattled Dean Jonas). UPP group chats. All sorts. Does Pringle live in some alternate reality to the rest of us?
2. Is Hon. Pringle claiming, as seems to be the case, that sharing plans and endorsements with party members is some sort of violation?
If this is so, then I cannot respect any such gag order in any political party that claims to be truly democratic. Don’t party members and the actual voters at convention deserve to cast their vote based on actual issues and plans? Isn’t that what the UPP is all about? Consultation and all that.
3. If the convention rules prohibit sending communications to the media, as Pringle suggests. Then isn’t this press release and the allegations it makes also against the same rules?
And if this press release has violated the rules, what discipline is the party leadership willing to impose on Hon. Pringle?
This is indeed a very weird situation.
If I was Hon. Pringle, the question I would be asking myself is: should I even continue my leadership fight with such poor support from the people’s elected representatives and so many former candidates?
How will Pringle lead? What will parliament look like? Would Pringle retain the title Opposition Leader if he were to win, given the lack of confidence in his leadership?
It’s Lent. Glory be to God. I would urge Hon. Pringle to go deep – very very deep – into prayer and ask Jehovah to guide him on his path.
Richard Lewis ALL the way if UPP members give a damn about getting GB out of power any time soon. I have watched Pringle for years hoping to see improvement. Watching him struggle to find his footing has been like watching paint dry. We don’t have any more time to waste! Gaston must GO! In any other party in the Caribbean or world the former and current leaders would have already made the change in party leader. Harold and Baldwin need to talk some sense into him. Does the UPP love being in opposition?
ITS A SLAPP IN THE FACE FOR THE ROUND SOUTH COMMUNITY. THIS AREA HAS ALWAYS SHOWN THERE LOYALTY TO THE BLUE SIDE.THE MOMENT SOMEONE FROM THAT AREA COMES TO LEAD WELL EVEN THE BLUE SIDE DONT WANT EM. SAD OLD ROAD PEOPLE JUST CANT BE PRIME MINISTER AND THATS THE MESSAGE BEING SENT.I ASK WHY CANT ROUND SOUTH PEOPLE BECOME PRIME MINISTER LOYALTY MATTERS DO NOT PUSH MY LOYALTY.
Sir I can assure you that Old Road people like everyone else want to see a change of Government. That will only come with a leader that has national support strong enough to mount a serious challenge.
Hon. Pringle has had enough time to setup himself as a viable option. It just has not happened. And Gisele Isaac as his research office failed to ensure his rapid improvement. He should be thankful he is in a UPP “safe seat” where his performance or lack of performance in the constituency was not as critical as it would have been elsewhere.
Old road people have issues too, don’t fool yourself.
We want a change of Government. We want a lower cost of living. We want and end to creative enrichment while grassroots people suffer.
So forget this silly political tribalism.
Should Pearl Quinn now start claiming that Rural North people were rejected simply because she did not gain traction in the leadership race?
Political tribalism will only lead to Gaston spending 6 terms in office.
As Baldwin said “keep your head on”
The problem is the pig inna lipstick. She causing ruckus in the party because she want Prringle so he could dance on she string.
And Harold just lekka she. He want she still be chair.
UPP haffu sweep all ah dem out now and let the party breathe.
And sweep Chaku out too in the dust pan.
The MP’s who signed the letter should have had the decency to give Pringle advance notice. You are free to support the man of your choice, but as opposition leader, he is due the courtesy. Some smaddy are too messy.
So you know for a fact that no attempts to sit down with Pringle were made?
The word within UPP circles is that Pringle avoided such engagements like the plague. His handlers would never allow common sense to prevail.
and even aside from having a sit down and “come to Jesus” moment with his colleagues (or an intervention, perhaps) did Pringle honestly believe that he commanded the support of his fellow MPs, who all are more qualified to lead in the minds of the general public?
Its hard for me to automatically accept Pringle’s claims as truth when this very press release he has issued is in violation of the ban on media engagement which he claims the convention planners imposed. Pure hypocrisy.
At the end of the day the public just does not have the confidence in the good gentleman. His colleague MPs must surely want to win the election, not allow Gaston another term or three all for the sake of some misguided sense of loyalty in the face of clear absence of public confidence in the current leader-by-default who is there simply because Harold Lovell called it a day in needless haste.
Frankly I commend the MPs and former candidates for urging the UPP members who received their letters to make the best choice to get Gaston the hell out. Their loyalty must be to us, who suffer everyday, not to status quo people and Pringle handlers who just want to bury their heads in the sand.
It’s not a matter of a “sit down”. As a sitting MP under Pringle’s leadership, the courteous thing is to inform him in person or by letter before the public endorsement of Lewis. If you want elevated positions, you must display elevated decorum.
When GISEL ISAAC will stop writing NONSENSE for Pringle. She has Pringle as a stool. All Antiguans know Pringle never written or saw this letter. Pringle should fire all those He appointed has Senators and now supporting Lewis.You keep Gusel too long around you. That is your DOWNFALL Pringle. You never think for yourself. Get some capacity young man. UPP done / FINISHED
It is clear that the Hon. Pringle’s response was not orchestrated by him. Madam Chairperson and perhaps, the barrister of noise were busy at work responding to the two letters of endorsement of the Rural West representative. This will be an exciting convention and melee preceding it. It will not disappoint. Democracy is alive and well. I’ll be watching with my popcorn.
Dave Ray let’s see what happens when ABLP calls their convention and Asot Michael, Chet Greene, Melford Nicholas and Maria Browne challenges Gaston for leadership of the ABLP. Asot Michael will blow him out of the water.
So tell Gaston and Mary-Claire to call ABLP Convention.
Richard Lewis already got his Leadership role in the bag.
Mr Richard Lewis has no love no compassion and no loyalty what so ever for born indigenous Antiguans his loyalty lies elsewhere ,you hear it everytime he opens his mouth. Very much afraid of this what would happen to Antiguans if he w.ns🤔🥺😭
You are like the false prophets call Religious Ministers and faith Leaders in this country.
They pray with you on Sunday or Saturday depending on the religion you are follower of; and they pray with Gaston and his Cabinet on Tuesdays. The place and times when all the enrichment scheme gets approved.
It does not take a halfway intelligent person to see what’s wrong with that. And those that think God will take care of them. We should not be waiting for God when we are able to help ourselves by making good decisions.
When you make up lies and place them on MP Richard Lewis you are anything but Bless. Before you can be blessed. Go away and repent.
@Bless you are soooooo correct!
Everything for him is JAMAICA. He even refer to cornbeef in the tin as BULLY BEEF? Can u imagine that? Best he challenge Andrew Holness for leadership then. No wonder the man cow dont want him anywhere near her UPP or Antigua government
@Bliss
First you people said that the party did not like Richard Lewis because his wife was Jamaican. Now you say Richard Lewis don’t like indigenous Antiguans. Where do you people get off with your stupid tactics. Richard Lewis all the way and I hope he brings all the Jamaicans and non nationals over. Waiting for the next statement from you about the non nationals. You are right in Gaston’s camp as so are you behave.
Mr Pringle all you need to do is to step it up, you really need to, it is not business as usual for Antiguans are safer with you
It matters not to me which one leads the UPP, ABLP can never get my vote. However, I agree with Pringle that these things ought to be private. I don’t need to know any of this, just tell me who won. I would like to ask UPP to avoid these kinds of things since all they do is give your wicked opponent things to talk about and spin to suit their narrative.
@ Zackie:
EXACTLY.
The author of ”Leadership Matters” is obviously an ABLP minion or GB appointed board member/worker.
UPP be not distracted by these ”wicked opponent”/ Dave Ray. All a BUNCH OF DETRACTORS ON THEIR WAY OUT.
@ ZACKIE
WHO WANT YOUR DAMN VOTE. Crawl back in your hole.Zackie the DUNCE.
Word on the street is that Sheffield Bowen withdrew his name from the MP endorsers. Schoolchildren say he too wants to be leader, but feels he stands a better chance with Pringle.
If that is true, then he just build his political coffin. Can’t wait to hear how the St Phillips South people think about that.
@ Treacherous Behaviour
Go on MINION in SPREADING PROPOGANDA……WHEN WILL THE ABLP CONVENTION TAKE PLACE?
WHAT MAX, GASTON, CUTIE AND MARIA IS AFRAID OF BEING DISPLACED?
ABLP TOO NEED TO HOLD A CONVENTION, DONT YOU THINK.
Good riddance, all these years you did nothing of major significance for where you grew up in Roman Hill, Swetes and your constituency on a whole, just boast and nuff round the place. it was just a hustle and money making opportunity, you don’t really care about nobody. ✌🏾
Aloha!!!
@ Corner Boys
Give yourself a rounding applause, LOL……U think anybody taking you on, and your FAKE RANTS 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
you’re probably one of Pringle’s kiss ass puppets from Swetes seeking relevancy and spotlight that love to bad talk your fellow villagers and spread rumors
With great respect your Honourable Jamale Pringle. The next leader has to be strong in mind, body and soul/spirit to not only take on Gaston Browne, but also to make Antigua & Barbuda’s economy, infrastructure and citizens feel strong again.
You shouldn’t be upset by the process for a good leader (it’s a waste of energy in the scheme of things), but your focus must be to show your fellow candidates and UPP supporters that you are fit and strong enough to lead as good as them.
UPP now have a strong and commanding team to halt the Prime Minister’s march towards a 4th term; and this must be your focus.
TRY NOT TO FOCUS ON THE PERIPHERALS…
BRIXTONIAN always chatting BSSSS. You know that Pringle does NOT have capacity to take on Hon. Gaston Browne ( WORLD BOSS ). You are very misleading. CROOKISH BRIXTONIAN.
Brixtonian, always knowing how to wake-up the Gastonites from their hibernating slumber.
IT’S A GIFT, MI AH TELL YOU 😉
@Corner Boys
Tell us in your view what are some of the significant things that should have been done
@Leadership Matters,
Thanks for a breakdown of the voting structure. You have enlightened me of something on which I was always curious but never had a reliable source.
On the other hand, Antigua is a small place where the important things never gets to the media. When they do the media lacks the wherewithal to investigate and agitate if necessary and build and craft balanced articles of their findings.
The Country is rife with irregularities, and they never make it to the media.
The DCA lease of the insulated sheds on Fryers Hill Rd. was not exposed by the media. It is the media’s role to wage a campaign publicly for a disclosure of the full lease not the elected MP.
Hardly anything of significance is covered by the media. Media in Antigua is either click bait or politically controlled media. When it does, it gets it wrong or presents misleading stories.
Last week Observer had an article about Paradise Found. That article was very misleading.
Gaston puts out PR on LIAT (1974) and LIAT (2020) chock full of information that should send the media scrambling for more in-depth articles.
Gaston’s rag sheet is further propaganda, and grist for the mill to the politically misinformed.
With regards to Jamal Pringle; he became the leader of the UPP by default as the only elected member of Parliament, consistent with the constitution.
Some individuals grow and mature into a role they never expected, or they were not prepared for. Pringle has failed miserable in that regard. He has been propped up by his handlers. He has had his day in the limelight.
If he truly loves this Country bow out gracefully rather than to make himself an embarrassment and create a lot of hard feeling within and without the party
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