This is a warning to the well-intentioned but absolutely foolish MPs and their supporters who are once again plotting to form a new party. This is simply not a viable way to rebuild the UPP after the next elections, and it should not have been a point of casual, much less serious discussion at a time like this. The expectation that a breakaway group will instantly command the support of the majority of current UPP supporters and then use that leverage to bring the Giselites, Pringle and others to heel, re-unifying UPP under a totally different brand? Madness. Just total madness.
First, let me say that I sympathize with the frustration of these reform-minded MPs. The fact that such discussions could be taking place before the ballots are counted is sad though not surprising. We have all heard of the UPP’s polling from two different pollsters which indicated how things are trending under the current leader. The 3 to 1 or 4 to 1 margin between the PM and Pringle (depending on the poll in question) is a brutal thing to people who believe in data.
Also, it could not have been easy watching every single attempt at changing the UPP leadership be defeated, while being told “just go along to get along”
Try #1: Proposed mediation by elder statesmen Baldwin Spencer and Harold Lovell to get Pringle and Gisele to step down. Harold ran away to Canada. There was no Harold-Baldwin tag team pleading for commonsense to prevail at a special membership meeting. Failed.
Try #2: Removing Pringle as Opposition Leader through a majority writing the Governor General to give voters a more attractive option for Prime Minister. Defeated by disunity and disagreements in the reform faction.
Try #3: The first attempt at forming a new party with the ultimate goal of forcing the “old guard” to beg for reunification on their terms. Defeated by disunity and disagreements in the reform faction.
Try #4: Proposing Trevor Walker as an Opposition Leader who could unify the warring factions in a St. Kitts-style coalition. Abandoned after the first push-backs.
Try #5: Attempting to get Harold Lovell back as leader. Defeated by Lovell’s fear and failure to rally the general public to force the UPP Executive to call the Convention. Time has now run out.
Brutal. Just brutal.
So, once again, here we are with renewed discussions and renewed leaks about this dumb new party idea. All of this would be funny if it wasn’t so pitiful. Supposedly sensible MPs and anti-Gisele/Pringle activists are busy discussing names and draft constitutions on griping late night Zoom calls. Instead, these guys should be exclusively focused on trying to save as many seats as possible, especially while getting virtually no support from the UPP campaign.
The UPP should never have gotten to this point. Multiple opportunities to salvage public confidence were wasted over the last 18 months. I therefore don’t even blame Pringle and his handlers. The efforts to save the UPP from decline were poorly executed, belated and anemic.
Here’s the bottom line:
The idea of building a new party around MPs who survive the next polls and who have more public support than Pringle is just too simplistic. If you guys fail to see that, let me help you understand why there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell for this “new party strategy” to restore the grouping of people currently called UPP supporters to its former glory.
First of all, there is no guarantee that the “old guard” left behind in the current UPP will bow to the new party’s demands and fold themselves back in. Isn’t this obvious? If the current leadership and their supporters could ignore data and the call of the national electorate and defiantly setup the party for defeat under Pringle, why would you expect them to see re-unification as a sensible option? These people don’t deal with sense, logic or data. What happens when they hold out, and the blue vote remains split into the long term?
In addition, there is virtually zero chance that the new party will be competitive, especially without the expected reunification, within the next 10 years. In fact it would likely take 20 years or more. Just look at the time between the collapse of the PLM and the UPP’s win in 2004.
This idea of using a new party as a bridge to retaking control of the current UPP must be abandoned if there is any hope of having a viable opposition in this country. It beggars belief that this flawed concept is popping up again, and it’s even worse that it would be actively discussed before the dust of the coming election settles.
Whichever UPP MPs survive the next polls will be in a strong position to build support around a refreshed vision and leadership at the next UPP Convention. After April 30, securing the necessary changes should be easier than ever. An orderly transition at a Convention should be the goal, not pursuing a new party gamble which will likely kill the institution.
UPP and Upset
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UPP and Upset you are a notorious ABLP liar. How is it you people can never sign your names if you are so sure of what you say. This is getting stale now
Who are those new member can we trust them things are looking very shakey
UPP will be completely WIPED OUT next general election, April 30 2026. UPP is totally DEMOLISHED.
Why UPP will enter in a general election with the following poll results
JAMALE PRINGLE 15 PERCENT
HAROLD LOVELL 5 PERCENT
April 30 will be a BLOW OUT.
Hon. GASTON BRROWNE is polling 59 percent.
Gaston how much time I warn you from penning articles the blog under different names? Leave UPP alone you to jealous of upp, when you ready you go and buy out the UPP politicians because you admire them so much. Leave them alone nah jack?
“You people 🤔 can never sign your names”. As if the name Capone rings out on the streets of Antigua and people know who the fuck you are. Dumb hypocrite.
You are the DEVIL.
You manufacture lies.
Your entire life is a lie.
Do you recognize God and his words?
What if yiu die tonight where woukd you spend eternity?
It is sad that because of a corrupt political party that you are willing to lose your soul.
I feel so sad for you.
You laboRATS believe that you can hide behind an article.
In your attempts you are so transparent that any new born baby can see through you.
So when you believe that you are fooling readers you are actually fooling YOURSELF.
There is no more warring people than the ALP.
However whenever they step out of Lady Newgent Avenue they put on a show.
Gaston wants Chet dead.
Three quarters of the party doesn’t want Turner.
Half is hoping that Melford loses his seat.
80 percent doesn’t want Dr Benjamin.
However when they call a public meeting at the Clare Halll Traingle not even air can pass through.
So any advice that you have for tge UPP you can shove it up.
You are not a UPP supporter.
You are a bone deel LaboRAT.
I think people that suffered at the hands of some wicket people would.never want to live that day again experience such pain, imagine Hitler or king Leopold was to have a renaissance or rebirth to inflict harm on civilization once more, Gaston must have had an epiphany like the christians after causing us to lose visa travel to Canada an now USA, along with the ruinous road infrastructure that he leaved us in and want to have s renaissance or rebirth to do it again with a vengeance, more house and land he going get for himself and family and his minister enrichment, more tax on us especially after the effect of this Iran war exogenous shock comes in. Nooo! Noo! No! Gaston and ALP, please don’t renaissance or rebirth.
Once the same candidates who started the U.P.P. destruction remain in the party, the party would have seen its best days.
These candidates are cancerous. They will continue to destroy the U.P.P.
Why Jamal PringleAnd Upp Administration be the best choice for Antigua and Barbuda come 30th April 2026.
Antigua and Barbuda, like many small island developing states, faces challenges that can be addressed through responsive governance, transparent institutions, and inclusive economic planning.
An administration change can be a catalyst for resetting priorities, improving public trust, and accelerating progress in critical areas such as economic diversification, public services, climate resilience, and good governance.
To evaluate a potential leadership transition, it is important to focus on overarching leadership qualities, policy frameworks, and the mechanisms that ensure accountability and sustained development.
Why a Change in Administration Might Be Beneficial
Stale governance and reform needs**: Prolonged incumbency can lead to bureaucratic inertia, slowed decision-making, and fatigue among public servants and citizens.
Policy reform momentum is often needed to modernize institutions, streamline processes, and adopt international best practices.
Innovation in public service delivery can be advanced through refreshed leadership that challenges the status quo.
Economic diversification and resilience**: The economy of Antigua and Barbuda relies heavily on tourism and related sectors; expanding into diversified sectors can reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
A new administration can prioritize sectors like ICT, green energy, agriculture, creative industries, and niche manufacturing.
Strengthening fiscal sustainability and debt management is crucial to maintaining long-term economic health.
Public trust and governance**: Transparent decision-making, anti-corruption measures, and accountable governance are essential for investor confidence and citizen engagement.
Reforming procurement, auditing, and anti-corruption frameworks helps rebuild trust in institutions.
Climate and disaster resilience**: Small island nations face increasing climate risks; proactive adaptation and resilient infrastructure are vital.
Leadership that prioritizes climate resilience, disaster planning, and sustainable development can reduce vulnerability and protect livelihoods.
Social cohesion and inclusion**: Inclusive governance that addresses inequality, access to services, and youth empowerment strengthens social fabric and long-term stability.
Policies that expand education, healthcare access, housing, and job training contribute to shared prosperity.
Qualities of Effective Leadership in a Changed Administration
Visionary yet pragmatic**: A leader who can articulate a clear, achievable national vision while grounding plans in practical steps and measurable targets.
Evidence-based policymaking**: Decisions guided by data, impact assessments, and transparent evaluation of programs.
Integrity and accountability**: Strong emphasis on ethics, anti-corruption measures, and clear lines of accountability to the public.
Inclusive governance**: Commitment to engaging communities, civil society, and minority groups in policy development.
Collaborative diplomacy**: Skill in regional and international engagement to attract investment, secure aid, and align with global standards.
Crisis management and resilience**: Capacity to respond effectively to natural disasters, economic shocks, and public health challenges.
Policy Pathways a New Administration Could Embrace
Economic diversification strategy**
Develop sector-specific master plans for ICT, renewable energy, agriculture, and tourism enhancement.
Create incentives for private investment, SMEs, and regional trade integration.
Strengthen fiscal governance and debt transparency to sustain growth.
Public service reform**
Modernize digital government services to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Implement performance management, merit-based recruitment, and ongoing training for civil servants.
Introduce robust procurement reform and independent auditing.
Climate and resilience initiatives**
Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, coastal protection, and water security.
Expand disaster risk reduction programs and early warning systems.
Promote sustainable energy transitions and energy independence.
Social development and inclusion**
Expand access to quality healthcare, education, and affordable housing.
Implement youth employment programs and pathways to entrepreneurship.
Strengthen social protection nets for vulnerable populations.
Governance and anticorruption measures**
Enforce clear conflict-of-interest rules and transparent campaign finance.
Strengthen judiciary independence and legal reform to facilitate fair adjudication.
Regular, independent public reporting on government performance.
A Hypothetical Case for Leadership (Fictional Example)
If we frame this around a fictional candidate named “Alexandra Hart” (as a stand-in for a transformative leadership profile), the discussion might cover:
Why a transformative leader is needed: to reset priorities, restore trust, and deliver tangible results within a defined timeframe.
Core priorities: climate resilience, economic diversification, human capital development, and transparent governance.
Leadership approach: data-driven policy, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.
Accountability mechanisms: independent audits, open budgets, citizen feedback channels, and sunset clauses for major programs.
Note: If you’d like a purely fictional narrative with no real-world people, I can expand this as a vignette or policy blueprint centered on a fictional leader and country.
Conclusion
A change in administration can be an opportunity to address systemic weaknesses, seize new growth opportunities, and strengthen the social contract between government and citizens.
The effectiveness of any leadership transition depends on clear objectives, credible plans, robust institutions, and ongoing accountability.
By prioritizing resilience, diversification, and inclusive governance, Antigua and Barbuda can build a steadier foundation for sustainable progress.
I not going to lie,i am a Alp supporter and its tiring and its going to get harder if we put them back in power. Cant say i never said this. 2027 is gonna be worst for us in this Country. Take it from me. Not a fan of Upp,but Lovell you need to sit back and let the young folks get a chance. Too much badmind and corruption as a political party you all should join together and hold each other hands and help one another. The abst you should have just leave that for the usual Christmas. It was obvious. Too much obvious things and i dont rate that. To how the place is quiet on Upp side,no posters for them or anything it reminds me of 2004 and that is kinda scary.
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