Dear Editor,
The time has come for a serious and uncomfortable conversation within the United Progressive Party—one that many supporters have been whispering for far too long but are now prepared to say out loud.
Following what can only be described as a crushing and decisive electoral defeat, the question is no longer what went wrong, but who is willing to take responsibility. Leadership is not only about standing firm in moments of strength; it is also about knowing when to step aside in the interest of renewal, growth, and survival.
Jamale Pringle has served, but it is increasingly clear that his continued leadership has become a limitation rather than a catalyst for progress. The electorate has spoken loudly, and the results suggest not just a rejection of policies, but a lack of confidence in the direction and leadership of the party itself. Refusing to acknowledge this reality risks further alienating supporters and condemning the party to prolonged irrelevance.
This moment calls for boldness—not stubbornness.
If the UPP is to have any future, it must embrace transformation, not cosmetic change. And perhaps that transformation cannot happen within the existing structure. Perhaps it requires something far more radical: the formation of a new political movement built from the ground up, with fresh energy, new ideas, and a leadership that inspires confidence across generations.
That is where Trevor Walker enters the conversation.
To support stories like these and help us continue delivering impactful journalism, call 268-772-4369 to learn how you can donate.
Walker has consistently demonstrated independence, courage, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. He is not without his critics, but he possesses something the opposition desperately needs right now—political presence, conviction, and the ability to connect with people beyond party lines. He represents a break from the stagnation that has plagued the current opposition.
Imagine a new political party—one not burdened by internal divisions, outdated strategies, or personalities that have failed to evolve. A party driven by young, dynamic individuals who reflect the realities of modern Antigua and Barbuda. A movement rooted in accountability, innovation, and genuine representation of the people.
Such a party could energize disengaged voters, attract independent thinkers, and rebuild trust where it has been lost. But this cannot happen if the same faces remain at the helm, expecting different results.
Leadership renewal is not betrayal—it is responsibility.
The longer the UPP delays meaningful change, the more it risks becoming politically obsolete. The electorate has already sent a message. The real question now is whether anyone is listening.
If not, then perhaps the future of opposition politics in this country lies not in reforming the old, but in building something entirely new.
Anonymous
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
UPP has really lost their minds on how to make a come back, and with only these two members of identical constituencies, base on the way of thinking and ideology of the voters residing in these two UPP strongholds sitting in parliament, replacing Pringle with Walker would’ve been the most idiotic move ever made by this opposition.
Gaston how much time I warn you from writing these article under anonymous or some monikers?
Anyway let me get to UPP, in parliament needs a more dynamic front, walker would be better suited as opposition leader in parliament along with the upp ditching the tradition of having a union member in the Senate, upp must be dynamic and adapt to change, install actual potential candidates in the Senate who will build the upp image since the upp is been totally decimated, the ALP would have adapted to circumstances on the ground of self preservation, the UPP on the other hand fail to see the big picture, the young Mr Whenner is a favored entitlement decision, he is a brilliant young man but to alienate Franz and others is disastrous, this is how the ALP stalk the disgruntled UPP supporters and empathize and gives the validation and cause defection. To reward Whenner senior by installing his son in the Senate is a dilemma for the UPP in its current state, the upp need a mixture of experience and yes intellect in the Senate, and intellect in the upper house through Trevor walker than someone still learning on the job, so if Lovell was to be a senator or the chairmanships of the party that would be a attraction to the UPP organization, followed by senators malaka parker, Franz defreitas, ashworth azil, Richard Lewis. The idea of putting Whenner to get him to ride on the st Philips north horse ain’t going anywhere just now since the ALP had a young man who has transition all of robin energies as his to command even defeating senior ALP comrades like Aswald Thomas, so upp should concentrate on cutting down old trees with baggage in the ALP government, if you weaken the root these newly sprouted branch will die out, but to go attack some areas that are garrison is futile, put that energy somewhere else.
New chair person and a more substantial public relations officer is needed, someone like Stafford or someone else along with a deputy like bruce Goodwin and other people who have the intellectual plus deep historical knowledge to build the upp in public.
A lot of things that should have been done by a more visionary leadership was not done, the upp political leader should have assembled a team to go to Washington earlier on in the visa restrictions debacle, can we remember back when the UPP was the government that gaston as opposition leader took his wife and went off to china to have talks with the chinies government where he had a great reception? which he financed his own logistics to do, if Mr Pringle had the capacity he would have been more flamboyant at his job as opposition leader, instead his inexperience depend on prompts to function. The UPP cannot continue along that path, we the voters feel completely insulted by the chair and leadership as we are made to parade behind incompetence as we confront our political opponents in a civil manner, we spent nights attending these meeting fully well aware that it’s a futile exercise because of the confidence in the leadership, the most we ever heard Pringle speaking was the last closing sessions of parliament along with this late campaign trail, we have never heard him otherwise, then to continue into this indecisive placement of senators that could be loyal to him and the chair is untenable.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I expect to hear a breaking news on Monday that
1 Chester, Ashworth, and Malaka are out of the Senate.
2 Walker will replace Pringle as leader.
ALL NEW FACES IN THE SENATE. ALL ALL ALL
Dalso will definitely create headlines every time he debates in the Senate… what’s the point of having all these name brands that never move the needle.
THE UPP NEEDS EXCITEM3NT IN THE SENATE. THESE BORING DEBATERS WILL NOT CUT IT. EXCITEMENT EXCIT2MENT, CREATE DRAMA……STRATEGY UPP GET THE SPOT LIGHT
Since, Trevor Walker and the BPM won as many seat as the UPP in the recent Elections, what does the Constitution say about, which Party has the right(s), to become the leading opposition arm of the government?
At this juncture, the BPM should start fielding Candidates in the other Constituencies in Antigua.
The BPM probably have more international supporters who are willing to support them in Antigua, to give them more credibility in the Parliament.
Jamal Pringle please don’t let #goolish_pride become a ghost that haunts the opposition in the parliament. Show some courage and step aside in the Lower House, and it just could REBOOT & REBOOST your image around the Nation. Gaston is dog walking you Pringle and your team, in more ways than one.
Jumbee Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏿 Foot
#Garatte_Bastard
Vere Edwards
Walker is not a member of the UPP so how does this help the UPP? How does this make any sense? Pringle won his seat so which one of the losers is fit to replace him? The persons who should be replaced are members of the Executive starting with the Empress for Life. Let Pringle breathe.
Writer of this article, please be guided that Mr Walker is the Political Leader of the Barbuda People’s Movement and however cannot be at the same the Political Leader of the United Progressive Party. Two different parties they both are.
Since the BPM fielded one candidate that won and the UPP fielded 16 with one win. The BPM was more successful at the poles and should become the Opposition leader in the lower house.
Trevor can select the senators in consultation with Pringle. THERE MUST BE AT LEAST TWO SENATORS COMING FROM BARBUDA
The Constitution is silent on that issue since there are only two people in Parliament on the Opposition side representing different Parties. However, the Governor General can use his discretion but Pringle represent the Party with the larger support base and would of necessity be the Opposition Leader.
All praises to the Most High that Richard, Shoogy, Lovell and Bowen LOST their seats. All of them actively sought to undermine and badplay Pringle, but it was Pringle who emerged victorious. Praise the Lord that neither of them got Senate appointments. UPP needs to look for new candidates in each of their former constituencies to replace them!!!
The Constitution is silent on that issue where the Opposition Side of the Lower House is comprised of two members from different political parties. The Governor General has a discretion to appoint the Leader of the Opposition, however, given the fact that the UPP has a larger following than the BPM, the Opposition Leader of necessity would have to be Jamale Pringle.
All praises to the Most High that Richard, Shoogy, Lovell and Bowen LOST their seats. All of them actively sought to undermine and badplay Pringle, but it was Pringle who emerged victorious. Praise the Lord that neither of them got Senate appointments. UPP needs to look for new candidates in each of their former constituencies to replace them!!!
All praises to the Most High that Richard, Shoogy, Lovell and Bowen LOST their seats. All of them actively sought to undermine and badplay Pringle, but it was Pringle who emerged victorious. Praise the Lord that neither of them got Senate appointments. UPP needs to look for new candidates in each of their former constituencies to replace them!!!!!!!
It does not surprise me what is expressed here. But I’m having trouble understanding why people cannot look at what staring them in the face.
The results of the Trevor Walker win has more to do with the BPM as an entity than Trever Walker as a political leader.
Most Antiguans view of Barbuda are based on misinformation and fallacies.
One such example is the visit organized by Serpent not too long ago which was a disaster.
That trip was such a farcical mess that even the AG Cutie Benjamin chimed in support of the UPP and Observer listeners, against the experience and treatment they encountered in Barbuda.
To this day no one in news or politics has examined the incident and the history of that particular beach, and as to why that visit to the beach went down badly. The false narrative still stands today.
Land and land rights has been traditionally the single political issue in Barbuda. Anyone who champions the land issue will succeed politically in Barbuda. All Trevor Walker has to do is to keep the posture: “Leave Barbuda and the land alone”.
Representative Walker exploited The Katel Hill incident where protesting Barbudans encountered The Antigua Riot Squad facing them down with assault rifles.
That incident more than any other resulted in the large margin of the BPM win.
Trevor Walker was there performing for the cameras at the Katel Hill demonstration; while the ABLP candidate was on Facebook stating he supports Gaston Browne development ideas.
There so much more to write about the fallacy of this article as well as the comments.
I’m not pleased with Gaston Browne as a Prime Minister.
Gaston Browne will continue to thrive and excel politically in a country where misinformation and naïveté is astounding.
@Charlesworth Tabor…interesting comment, regarding which political party has the right(s), to become the Opposition Arm in the Parliament.
If, the Constitution does not speak directly, to the scenario of the BPM and the UPP having the same amount of seat, in the present make up of the Lower House, and the fact (correct me if I’m wrong on this point), the recent pledge of allegiance taken by the Lower House Members, was not the original which pleaded allegiance to the Crown, but now the pledge is made to the State and its Constitution…
A…what gives the Governor General the right(s), to decide which political party becomes the main opposition party?
Regardless, as to whether, the UPP has more members, as a political party, they still only have ONE VOTE in the Lower House.
B…does Trevor Walker and the BPM have a case to be decided by the Courts?
C…would this scenario be considered a Constitutional crisis, since, the Constitution does not address this issue, in its entirety?
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏿 Foot
#Garrate_Bastard
Vere Edwards
Trevor Walker is a one issue politician.
Gaston Browne has made it so with his threats and actions regarding changing the land tenure.
Anyone who champions the land issue will be politically favourable in Barbuda.
When Walker was given a chance to run a Ministry he was a colossal failure.
Gaston will make chop beef out of Trevor.
Comments are closed.