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Dear Editor,
As a long-standing supporter of Harold Lovell, I say this with all due respect and loyalty: the United Progressive Party (UPP) cannot move forward by constantly looking backward.
Some voices within the party may be calling for Mr. Lovell to return to leadership, but the time has come to pass the baton.
The future of the UPP lies not in recycled leadership but in new, visionary, and principled individuals. That leader is Richard Lewis.
Richard Lewis has demonstrated time and again that he is capable, articulate, and deeply committed to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
He served with distinction in the Senate and has spent years investing in education and youth development. He is a man of integrity, intellect, and calm resolve.
In short, he is the kind of leader who can broaden the party’s appeal and chart a course to national victory.
Let’s be honest—Jamal Pringle is simply not ready for prime time. While he may have good intentions, leadership at the national level requires more than good intentions.
It demands readiness, capability, and credibility.
We cannot afford to present a face of leadership that leaves the electorate unsure or uninspired.
It’s also important to address the internal injustices that continue to plague our party. Just as Joan Messiah was unfairly sidelined, Richard Lewis was denied leadership through questionable practices at conventions.
These actions are not only undemocratic—they are corrosive. If we don’t address them now, they will follow us into government, tainting everything we stand for.
Richard Lewis represents a break from the cycle of internal division and outdated tactics.
He is the fresh start the UPP needs to win the confidence of the people. Harold Lovell’s time has come and gone—he has served with distinction, and his contribution is undeniable. But leadership is not a lifetime appointment.
It is time for a new generation to step up.
Jamal Pringle should resign as Leader of the Opposition and make way for Richard Lewis. Let Lovell support him from behind the scenes, offering his wisdom and experience as an elder statesman.
That is how we build a winning team—one that is rooted in principle, forward-thinking, and united.
The UPP cannot afford more division, deception, or delay. The time for Richard Lewis is now.
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I agree with this writer. Richard Lewis has the potential to be a great leader. He should be given a chance. No one else in the current UPP stands out as a favorably candidate.
Writer I do not agree with your views. UPP doesn’t need a new leader. It needs to be buried and a new party needs to be established. Richard will do well in starting this new party. Leading that DisUnited party will only cause him lots of frustration and headache. Joan Massiah was a little too early but the time hase come now. Perhaps he should join Joan in establishing this new party.
Labourites and double-agents U.P.P. supporters/members, get it through your head please, Richard Lewis will NEVER be the leader of the U.P.P.
Let me repeat, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER.
Who do not like it, just for for the A.B.L.P., stay home on election day, but most importantly JUST SHUT TO F***K up.
Your stupidity is quite frustrating.
I concur with the writer!
Those who take the position Jamal is the elected leader falls into several categories.
There is the dishonest group. Those who think that if Jamal was to be elected as PM, they would be in a position of being able to get the type of benefits ABLP diehard’s normally get.
The dishonest group recognizes Jamal is weak but gamble that should Pringle becomes PM they can easily get the opportunity to feed at the trough.
These people are no different than Gaston Browne’s supporters they take a mercenary approach to politics.
The other group is naive and easily influenced. They take a sentimental approach to politics. Their politics is one of hope rather than reality.
These two groups may prevail in any fight so long as they continue to have the tactical support of PM Gaston Browne who is a master of attack and degrade.
The moment Richard Lewis is perceived to have support toward UPP leadership, Gaston will embark on degrading and undermining his leadership.
Gaston tactically is in partnership with the fractions that continues to support Jamal Pringle as party leader.
What’s missing is independent respectable media; that offers editorial commentary and content, to present a deeper analysis of the political landscape.
It’s quite true that Jamal Pringle was voted as leader at the party convention, but a selected few at a parties convention can never represent the popular consensus of people coming out to vote in a General election. It is common knowledge throughout the world for political parties to select their leaders based on their profiles, likeability and popularity from a national level rather than party level and Antigua is no exception to this rule. A curiosity glance at some of the more prominent leaders of this country, “V.C Bird Sr. & Baldwin Spencer”, would show that their national rather than party profile’s have a lot to do with the successes of their respective parties at the pools.
It’s Time for Chet Green to Lead the ABLP. There, fixed it for the writer.
UPP continues to squander their opportunities. Gaston Browne credibility has taken a hit because of the Alpha Nero boat sale, and the questionable accounting of the funds. But he is not fighting for his political life, not because of his actions but UPP failure to organize as a political force.
Gaston Browne is in a good place to win the next election. He is offering many initiatives for nation building. That’s what one wants from a Prime Minister.
While UPP is squandering their best opportunity at the moment. The talent exists. Selfishness and selfish people propping up Pringle is creating opportunities for Gaston.
Should the selfish people propping up Pringle chooses a true leader; many who have left the UPP will eventually make their way back, to help with rebuilding the UPP.
Jamal Pringle has not demonstrated he has the skills to win a national election. Neither does he have what it takes to be Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
He has offered no bold ideas for domestic or international politics or policies.
A nice guy with a pleasant personality tried and failed. In as much as it was stolen from him.
Unfortunately a bunch of selfish people who are his handlers, keeping him propped up hoping for a miracle.
They are not different from the ABLP red brigade.
One may question Gaston Browne character; but he leads with optimism which is important in politics.
He may be be a nasty MF but owing to Pringles weakness; Gaston’s crudeness has not affected him politically.
I really do not care who leads the UPP now once it isn’t Pringle.
Pringle has proven to be a failure of immense proportions.
He has brought the UPP on the verge of extinction.
I am disappointed that Harold Lovell has sat and watched an inept incompetent uneducated Pringle dismantle a party that he was a founding member of.
Only a fool doesn’t know that he is not a fool.
Only Pringle doesnt know that he is not a leader.
Winston Henry
I am always amazed when ever I read these articles my lawyer friend would send to me. I find that in many cases the writer has valid points even though i may not always agree with him or her. I also find the feedback equally the same.
What strikes me most is to read how varying our political prospective can be. On the one hand persons believe that once you are elected that means everything, and no one should question that. After all, I was elected at a convention by 200 to 300 hundred, so you 60, 000 registered voters should just accept that. How dare you question or criticize me/us!!!
What seems odd to me is this, we are so protective of a convention election that we hate the idea of anyone even suggestion otherwise. However in the same breath we are asking that PM Browne and all HIS ELECTED members of government step down for the good of the country.
While I believe that the PM is not doing right by the country in many ways, I also agree that he has gotten many things right. If I make a call for him to step down, I must equally be of good conscience if warranted make the same call of Mr. Pringle, again if warranted.
How is it that we can be so hypocritical in saying the PM should resign or be booted out of office but the UPP leader is untouchable and no critique should be fall him?
The real question is not whether Pringle is elected or PM Browne is elected, the fundamental question is this, are they best for the country at this time?
Sure one has power and the other is “just the opposition leader” to be honest they are both two very powerful persons in the political landscape of the country. Their roles are different but their responsibilities to the nation is the same. GOOD GOVERNANCE and ACCOUNTABILITY. Both should be given the respect and both should have protected police detail.
The Prime Minister minister controls cabinet, the opposition leader controls the public accounts committee. The Prime Minister dictates the governing policies, the Opposition Leader has oversight of those policies and has the attention of the public to report how the cabinet is spending their money. Look at it from. The prospective of the courts vs parliament.
While parliament makes the laws and that is awesome it is the role of the courts to oversee those laws and interprets them for the people. And that to is equally important.
They are both very important they are both necessary for justice. The same way the PM and cabinet is important so too is the Leader of the opposition, in governance. Section 78 of the constitution.
Same coin two sides very different responsibilities in the public interest and for the public good.
That brings me to this question; if it’s OK for us to question PM Browne’s integrity, and hold him accountable, what are we saying that as Antiguans we ought not to hold Mr. Pringle to the same degree of public scrutiny?
If the UPP’s position is the PM should be judged by the Antiguan public, then so too must Mr. Pringle, NO EXCEPTIONS, NO FREE PASS. Is he not the PM in waiting?
We want to have it both ways, we have become so blinded by our party affiliation that we forget we are first Antiguans, then members of a party second.
I will say this, I don’t have an issue with the UPP defending its leader, I have an issue with blind loyalty and cultists behaviors.
So yes if Mr. Pringle wants to lead this county, let me be very clear, i don’t care whether I am a UPP supporter or not, he must show me as an Antiguan that he is fit and ready to lead. The same standard I hold PM Browne too and is willing tonspeak out I will do the same with Mr. Pringle NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
I am not judging him on Mr. Gaston Browne standards, rather I am judging him on the basis, that, he can truly represent all Antiguans and Barbudans in any circle.
If the people are feeling as if he lacks capacity in their eyes. Find out what they are expecting from you then go and aquire the necessary skills and show them that you have what it takes and you are willing to do what it takes, to be the best leader for the people. NOT JUST LIKABILITY but the necessary skills to lead a country.
Whatever you do STOP asking people to accept any inadequacies just because people were elected at a convention.
I not accepting that from PM Browne and neither am i accepting that from Mr. Pringle. If the UPP is willing to call on PM Browne to resign stop acting like spoil brats as soon as someone calls out the leader. Use it as an opportunity to be better to do better and lift your focus.
A convention may be good for the party, however, the nation now need to know that, what the party sees when they choose you at the convention you can pivot nationally and your worth it every vote and worthy to be the leader and the Prime Minister in waiting.
At any conventions the choosing of a Leader has national ramifications. This choice sets the tone for who will be the next Prime Minister. The choice must be measured, not just party interest, but national expectations. The public will (like it or not) weigh in on your choice and if they find that it does not meet their standard they will tell you.
For those of the UPP that is starting to take on cultists attitudes STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!!!. You are not doing any good trying to have people accept blindly.
Tell them why he is the best choice, let them know what he brings to the table and put your campaigning for Mr. Pringle to work instead of trying to force your decision at a convention down the throat of people. Sell his strengths and work on his weaknesses. Convince people not confront them.
We have an fairly educated public, start respecting that and stop treating the people like how the ABLP is treating them. Stop the cultists mentality.
Antigua 🇦🇬 First, Antiguan always
Winston Henry
I am committed supporter of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for the past 45 years, I have always stood by the party through its triumphs and challenges. My allegiance remains strong, and I continue to believe in the principles that first drew me to support the UPP.
However, I write today in full agreement with the views expressed in a recent article regarding the leadership of Harold Lovell. With all due respect to Mr. Lovell and his past contributions, I firmly believe his time at the helm has come and gone. The party must now look ahead and embrace a new generation of leadership—one that is dynamic, innovative, and capable of reconnecting with the electorate in a meaningful way.
There are too many pressing issues in our nation that the UPP has failed to challenge the ruling Antigua Labour Party on. The silence of our current opposition MPs is deafening at times, and the public is left wondering where the voice of accountability has gone. If we are to offer the people a real alternative, we must do better.
The future of the UPP—and indeed the future of good governance in Antigua and Barbuda—depends on our willingness to evolve and adapt. It is time for the party to rise to the occasion.
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