Dear Editor,
Harold Lovell’s announcement of his return to elected politics may have stirred nostalgia in some quarters, but it should also trigger a deeper, more uncomfortable question for Antigua and Barbuda: How long will the old guard hold the reins, and at what cost to our nation’s future?
Our political landscape has been dominated for decades by the same familiar faces and the same tired playbook. Sir Molwyn Joseph, Sir Cutie Benjamin, Sir Robin Yearwood — names that have been etched into our parliamentary benches since the 1980s and 1990s — still stand at the forefront, steering the country with the same ideas, strategies, and mindsets they honed decades ago.
While their contributions to nation-building in earlier years are undeniable, there comes a point when experience morphs into entrenchment, and legacy becomes a stumbling block to progress.
The truth is, Antigua and Barbuda can no longer afford to be governed by a political philosophy frozen in the last century. We live in a different world — one shaped by rapid technological change, shifting global economies, the climate crisis, and a population hungry for transparent, forward-thinking governance. Today’s challenges require agility, innovation, and a willingness to disrupt outdated systems. Unfortunately, the political giants of the past seem more inclined to preserve their era’s way of doing things than to embrace the bold reforms the future demands.
It is not a matter of disrespect. It is a matter of evolution. Leaders who guided us through the 1980s and 1990s did so in their time; now, that time has passed. A generation of talented, educated, and globally aware Antiguans and Barbudans stands ready to take the baton — but they are too often sidelined, their energy muted by the towering shadows of those unwilling to step down.
Politics should not be a lifetime occupation. It should be service, followed by the grace to step aside and let others serve. When leaders cling to power for decades, they do not just block individuals — they block ideas, new solutions, and the very possibility of transformation.
If Antigua and Barbuda is to truly thrive in the decades ahead, we must usher in a new era of leadership. That means Harold Lovell must rethink his return, and stalwarts like Sir Molwyn Joseph, Sir Cutie Benjamin, and Sir Robin Yearwood must accept that their finest contribution now may be to mentor and pass the torch, not to grip it tighter.
The past built our foundation, but it is the future that will define our destiny. And the future belongs to the next generation — if only the old guard will let it.
Carl Davidson
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3 Looonnnngggg days ago, and AAAALLLL UPP supporters and kool-aids drinkers would agree with this article ya 🤣🤣
Now Lovell return, them go quiet quiet now
Time enough for people like cutie and the rest to step down. Been there for so long, let the new generation take over
Carl hit the nail on the head. We can respect what the old guard has done and still recognize that it’s time for fresh leadership. Antigua and Barbuda can’t keep recycling the same political formula from 30 years ago.
Bravo couldn’t have said it better my dear.
Not just OLD but OLD + LOSER!!!!
Where was this article before Lovell opted to return?? The cuties ; the Molwyns; Robins etc were always there yet the writer never felt the need to pen this article. Lovell is needed right now in UPP and local politics to strengthen the politics of this country that has been bastardized by Gaston .
Tell cutie, molwyn, and half dead Robin to vacate the premises immediately!!
We not even sure if robin breathing.🤔
Time to go!!!
They don’t want to leave.
Give me a proverbial break..
Time to give way for young people!
I guess power and money too sweet 😋
People lets be real, you can bring back Harold or whomever from the past, but if anyone in their real mind truly believe that in this present Wadadli political climate the UPP is ready to stamp out the ABLP and capable and progressively run this country again have to be living on Redonda.
@ carvaa
Guess u were living in Redonda when Gaston admitted to transferring voters to steal the election and deny the UPP for winning what was justly theirs. Wid all the suffering in this country with hunger and starvation and the sky rocketing prices, only hangers on like you who sing for your supper will tink that the ABLP cannot be removed, but they will be and there will be weeping and knashing of teeth.
Strange this letter writer did not even give even one example of some of the future leaders he says are out there because you couldn’t
@Zackie
Where do you live. Harold Lovell is the BIGGEST liar, loser, fake politician I have EVER know. You all don’t know this man. Had he have his way, when they were in power we would all be living in poverty right now. This is a travesty to the UPP. PM Pringle, political leader of UPP do not let this happen to your party…… their only reason for wanting him back is to remove you. And you are the only good and honest thing about that party right now.
Another laboRAT!!!!
You have the ears of Cutie have you openly told him to step aside?
Dr Benjamin will be the labour party’s candidate for St Marys North.
Have you told Gaston that he is too old to add him to the slate?
Lovell is not too far away from Melford. Are you telling Gaston that Melford is too old?
I have not heard tou say that.
However the return of Lovell stirred up so much up easiness in you laboRATS that you find every excuse in the book why he should run.
Well, laboRAT, I have news for you.
He is coming and he is going to do damage to Anthony “Babyface Judas ” Smith.
He will teach the young judas why he should never betrayed the confidence of the people.
How old is Max Fernandez?
Shut the hell up.
Your criticisms are too transparent.
If you fear Lovell that much join him so tou keep a close eye on him.
We welcome ypu into the UPP.
You know all what is goid for the UPP however you do not know about the infighting in the labour camp.
Go way!!!!!!
@Saap.
Hunger and starvation?
Didn’t look that way to me with all the people out there enjoying carnival….unless they were starving to afford their carnival costumes.
Sky rocketing prices? Point out anywhere in the world that does not have sky rocketing prices……
The hypocrisy of this article is amazing.
Harold Lovell is 69 years old, according to the pundits of Point FM. The way they were measuring him for his coffin you would think he was much older. Maybe when they were berating him for his age, they sort of forgot all the dinosaurs they have in their Jurassic Park, including those who are collecting taxpayers money every month without knocking stroke.
Some of us consider ourselves as grown-ass men, in our fifties and sixties and think it would be good to have some of the younger bucks running things.
BUT YOU DON’T PUT THEM TO GOVERN JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUNG.
Look at the mess we made by putting in one who was said to be ‘young’ and good for young people.
In war, the older men are the generals and the younger ones fight the wars. We seem to forget that the ones who make the decisions are not the ones who are full of testosterone and have strong back, but those who have seen it all and can make those proper decisions which would be implemented by the strong backs.
To call for young people to run things is like calling for Armageddon. That is not how the world works. Every now and then an Ibrahim Traore comes along, but these are few and far between. The young man leading the UPP got all kinds of opportunities to gain wisdom and learn to lead. He seemed to be contented with just soaking up the adulation of being young.
Harold Lovell has his bad points. For one, he is too vacillating and too accommodating of nonsense within the UPP. Being a leader means that you have to make decisions which at times would not be popular. Hope he has learnt that lesson.
He also allowed himself to be easily pushed aside by the female arm in the party and this has greatly hurt his image in the eyes of the people.
He is asking for a new chance. Will he be wiser and more assertive? Could be. It would be in his interest to take on a more compelling approach to leadership, or else his name will be forever tarnished in Antigua history if he does not pull this off. This means that he has to make decisions which might not please many in his party. However, judging by the overall response the announcement of his return has received, it is smart for him to come back stronger and more decisive.
Well done and well relevant. Some of these politicians like to stay in office until they are shrivelled up and gray
Dis the clown 🤡 that REGISTERED A SCHOOL BUS IN HIS OWN PERSONAL NAME??? It was intended for our nation’s youth, but Limpy Joe, RAG-TAG and OBEAH MAN claimed them as their own.
He needs to ride off into the sunset on the WILMOTH DANIEL STRIPPER POLE BUS 🚌
Let us see these negative comments about Harold Lovell and the UPP for what they are pure distraction. Harold has more integrity in his pinky finger than what Gaston, Chet or any member of the ABLP have in their collective bodies. They are certainly not very comfortable now. Mek dem keep spewing their bile and just ignore them
U all shivering in ur boots to hear Harcoming, as the older ones would say, dogs don’t bark after parked cars.
We don’t throw stones in empty mango trees. Finally, I’m model’s voice, you scared
Harold to the world me say 💯 👍
Where is that long overdue romantic rhythms report??? This man has done too much damage to the economy and caused deep-seated trauma to the country because of the horrible incompetent decisions he made under the WICKED “SUNSHINE GOVERNMENT”
My word, Laborites I thought had the monopoly on dunceness but Gastonites they have taken it to another level
A how come molwyn ,cutie and robin nar step aside, an melford?
Wow well well well St James I gather what I read from the comments that you all listen to your leader Direct Lessness with his ignorance Of the information was true with Romantic Rhythm the DPP would investigate the matter rather than the investigation of the Bus You can rest assure that Oderbretch matter will surely come to a close I want you all please think if Harold Lovell was involve with the matter would have been completed but our Ambassador Casroy is released by the Feds pending further inquiry Now who are they waiting on
@Antiguan to the bone(really ABLP to the bone). There is a saying that older folks like to use and it goes like this: “You mighta glad Gad no lakka man”, else he you would have at least choke you for stating the lie that, Lovell is a liar!! You really believe Lovell can stand in the company of: Gaston, Cutie, Max Hurst etc? I know you don’t believe that but at this point, you guys are so shocked that Lovell is back that you are tossing as much sh..t as possible against the wall to see what will stick.
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