Dear Editor,
Please allow me space in your online news portal.
Mr. Knight on Observer Radio played a recording of a staunch ABLP supporter who basically said “if ABLP put a dog to run in my constituency, ah dog me ah vote fah.” We laughed, as to us it sounded so dumb and all we could do is laugh. As responsible citizens we don’t want to vote for a dog. We want persons who can lead their team, who are qualified for the position, take responsibility for their action or inaction, can lead by example, and who we can proudly say is my MP, or this is my PM. Our vote must mean something.
I genuinely want to vote for the UPP. I proudly voted for the UPP under the leadership of Harold Lovell last election with the expectation that if UPP won, Harold Lovell would have been Prime Minister. The UPP leadership race is now over and I have some fears and concerns with the possibility of MP Pringle as our country’s leader.
Financially MP Pringle is wrapped up in the government payroll with his different salaries starting with his 1.4 million picking up dead dogs over 7 years up to 2020, (https://antiguanewsroom.com/pm-wants-investigation-into-govt-contracts-with-opposition-leader) (https://antiguaobserver.com/jamale-pringle-nothing-foul-about-dead-dog-contract/) we know he still has the dead dog collection contract, his MP salary, Leader of the Opposition salary – Is he being paid to head the Public Accounts committee which we hear little about? His private business rents tables and chairs to government for various functions. In fact, when UPP party members and supporters were outside picketing SIDS conference, we learnt on the media it was MP Pringle’s rental tables and chairs in the conference. If MP Pringle became Prime Minister, will this be allowed to continue and should it be even happening now? How can he then stop others from doing same if he becomes our leader? Can he tell us how many cheques he is getting from the treasury and other government agencies annually? I know Mr. Knight has spoken about this many times and it is high time it is answered. Did these payments /contracts start before he became MP for All Saints East and St. Luke or after? We don’t want a future PM going into office thinking this is OK, and we also don’t want Prime Minister Gaston Browne revealing information that the public should have already known about.
The UPP leadership race is over and, in all honesty, based on the last 6-7 years of seeing MP Pringle in parliament, hearing him on radio interviews, on social media, I still see him lacking basic vocabulary, limited knowledge on parliamentary proceedings, governance etc. I know and a lot of people know (though they may not want to say) that at this time Mr. Pringle is simply not ready. What is the party doing to prepare him and what is MP Pringle doing to prepare himself? The election can be called in a few months. Is there enough time? The letter signed by almost all the UPP MP’s and caretakers also confirmed his colleagues lack of confidence in him. They work with him, and would obviously know more than us. I trust their judgment. I also trust my own eyes, and ears, and I like many others are left in the unfortunate position of voting for someone who based on what we see is not yet capable (not saying he will not be in the future) simply to get Gaston Browne out of office. Our other option is to not vote. Bear in mind many of us voted for UPP last election with Harold Lovell as PM if the party won. The situation has now changed.
The UPP has now put myself and others between a rock and a hard place. Do I just vote for the UPP to simply get rid of PM Browne? Then what? It’s 3 AM and who do you want answering the phone comes to mind… I say extra prayers when Mr. Pringle speaks in parliament or does an interview. I often feel embarrassed. It’s been 7 years and MP Pringle still hasn’t stepped up. Each session in parliament shows it. We must speak the truth. If the party executive, close friends and family don’t, then it will have to come the hard way- from strangers. The party must take some blame. When people care about you, they tell you the truth and offer to help. They could have told him the truth, and provided the resources he needs. The position of leader of a country must be taken seriously. This role also takes the PM job outside of Antigua to represent our country on numerous occasions. Is MP Pringle mentally prepared for that? Where is his bio? An election can be called tomorrow and I feel as if UPP has put us in a take it or leave it situation, whilst they are cussing each other out on the radio every day and every night. Most lacking the skill of simply listening and trying to understand what their fellow party members are saying. For a party that came so close to winning the last election this is shameful and it starts from the top.
This is nothing personal against MP Pringle. I don’t know him. I can only go by his performance. Based on that performance he will be judged and the future of all the UPP candidates will depend on him. I want him to succeed in life and feel confident he is genuinely a good person.
The next election will be difficult in terms of choices. I know there are plenty like me and I know people get angry when you question their political party leadership choice. Of course, I will be crucified for expressing my concerns but my way of thinking is always country first. So be it.
Thank you.
Hya Richards
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