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Dear Editor,
I write in response to Charlesworth Tabor’s recent opinion piece, “Politics and The Concept of the Greater Good”, which questioned the United Progressive Party’s choice of leader.
While Mr. Tabor argues that the UPP might have been better off under Harold Lovell or Richard Lewis, even suggesting polls favored Mr. Lewis over the current leader, Jamale Pringle, I respectfully disagree.
In fact, a closer look at each man’s record and qualities shows clearly that Harold Lovell and Richard Lewis are not the optimal leaders for the UPP, and that Jamale Pringle is the best choice to lead the party and ultimately Antigua and Barbuda as Prime Minister.
Harold Lovell: Intelligent, But Rejected at the Polls
There is no denying Harold Lovell’s intelligence and past service. As a former Finance Minister and seasoned politician, Mr. Lovell is a bright and experienced individual.
However, leadership success in politics is ultimately measured by one’s ability to win the confidence of voters, and here Mr. Lovell’s track record speaks volumes.
He has led the UPP into two consecutive general elections (2018 and 2023) and suffered defeat both times. In the 2018 election, the UPP was roundly beaten – winning only a single seat – and Mr. Lovell even lost his own parliamentary seat.
Undeterred, he returned to lead the party into the January 2023 general elections, but the result was the same: the electorate again refused to elect Mr. Lovell as Prime Minister, handing the UPP a second loss under his leadership.
Mr. Lovell himself narrowly lost his constituency (St. John’s City East) for a third consecutive time, being edged out by six votes.
These back-to-back rejections at the polls are clear signals that, however capable Mr. Lovell may be, the voting public is not prepared to embrace him as their leader.
It is telling that Mr. Lovell chose to resign as UPP leader the very day after the 2023 election loss, acknowledging the need for new leadership.
In his resignation statement, he noted that the UPP had improved its position in Parliament and declared it “a good time to step down,” expressly adding that Jamale Pringle is more than capable of leading the party and enjoys [Lovell’s] committed support.
This gracious concession from Mr. Lovell himself underlines that even he recognizes the mantle must pass to a new generation.
Having twice been rejected by voters as leader, Mr. Lovell remaining at the helm would not serve the UPP’s cause.
The concept of the greater good for the party, to borrow Mr. Tabor’s phrasing, lies in embracing fresh leadership that can inspire and unite both the base and the wider electorate – something Mr. Lovell, through no lack of trying, has been unable to achieve.
Richard Lewis: Dedicated, But Lacking Broad Support
Mr. Richard Lewis, the Member of Parliament for St. John’s Rural West, is another UPP figure whose name has been floated as a potential leader.
Indeed, Mr. Tabor’s piece emphasizes an opinion poll that allegedly showed Mr. Lewis having greater national appeal than Mr. Pringle. Polls, however, are fleeting pictures in time; leadership ability is demonstrated through concrete contests and one’s ability to rally support when it counts.
On this score, Mr. Lewis has twice sought the leadership of the UPP and fallen short on both occasions.
Shortly after the UPP’s 2018 defeat, Mr. Lewis challenged Mr. Lovell for the party leadership at the February 2019 convention.
The outcome was decisive: Mr. Lovell retained leadership by an overwhelming vote of 245 to 63, indicating that Mr. Lewis failed to convince the party’s core delegates of his suitability at that time.
More recently, in April 2024, Mr. Lewis again contested the top post – this time against Jamale Pringle – and again the majority of the UPP’s membership rejected his bid.
In a democratic internal election closely watched by observers, Mr. Pringle received 237 votes to Mr. Lewis’s 173, a clear margin of victory for the incumbent.
No matter how many personal qualities Mr. Lewis possesses, the fact remains that he has not been able to secure the confidence of his own party’s rank-and-file, even after years of exposure and a concerted effort.
This raises legitimate concerns about his ability to galvanize the wider public.
If the people who work alongside you in the political trenches – and know both your strengths and limitations best – twice decide not to elect you as their leader, it signals a lack of the “winning leadership skills” needed for prime ministership.
It’s worth noting that Mr. Lewis is indeed a valued member of the opposition team and has made contributions, particularly in his constituency.
But leadership of a major party (and by extension, the country) demands more than local popularity or a pleasant public image; it demands the ability to unify disparate factions, articulate a clear vision, and inspire confidence on a broad scale.
Thus far, Mr. Lewis has not proven himself in these areas to the degree necessary.
His record in head-to-head leadership contests is one of not getting across the finish line, and there is little evidence that replacing Mr. Pringle with Mr. Lewis at this stage would suddenly vault the UPP into electoral victory.
In fact, doing so could very well splinter the party or demoralize the base, which overwhelmingly supported Mr. Pringle.
The UPP must consider the long-term greater good of maintaining unity and principled democracy internally, values that should not be cast aside due to one or two poll results.
Jamale Pringle: The Best Leader for the UPP and a Visionary Prime Minister-in-Waiting
Contrary to Mr. Tabor’s implication that Jamale Pringle’s elevation to leader may not serve the UPP’s immediate “greater good”, Mr. Pringle in fact represents exactly the kind of forward-looking, unifying leadership that the party – and Antigua and Barbuda – needs.
His background and performance to date give every reason to be confident in his ability to lead the UPP to success and to serve as an excellent Prime Minister.
First, Mr. Pringle brings a diverse and grounded background to the leadership role. Uniquely among the current political leadership, he is a former secondary school teacher by profession.
He taught at multiple schools (including Irene B. Williams, Pares Secondary, Princess Margaret, and Clare Hall), touching the lives of ordinary families and young people.
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This experience has imbued him with a deep understanding of the education system, youth issues, and the day-to-day struggles of working Antiguans, qualities that foster empathy, strong communication, and a connection with the next generation.
Importantly, Mr. Pringle paired his educational career with success in business. As one profile noted, “Single Pringle,” as he is affectionately called, left a career in teaching to become a successful entrepreneur, marrying the science of business with the art of politics.
In other words, he understands how to meet a payroll and grow an enterprise, giving him practical economic management insight. This blend of real-world business acumen and public service experience is invaluable.
It means Mr. Pringle can relate equally to the classroom teacher and the small business owner, two constituencies critical to national development.
Secondly, Mr. Pringle has proven his mettle through performance under pressure.
When he first entered Parliament in 2018, it was as the lone opposition MP in the entire House of Representatives, a remarkable yet daunting position.
Thrust “into a leadership role after emerging the only winner on his party’s ticket in 2018”, Mr. Pringle did not flounder or fade into irrelevance. Instead, he embraced the responsibility, serving as Leader of the Opposition with dignity and tenacity.
For five years, he single-handedly kept the UPP’s voice alive in Parliament, holding the government to account despite having no colleagues alongside him in the chamber. This period was a trial by fire that hardened Mr. Pringle’s resolve and honed his leadership skills.
He learned to “get things done, despite not being in government and despite institutional” obstacles. By the 2023 election, thanks in part to Mr. Pringle’s efforts and visibility, the UPP rebounded to win six seats.
Mr. Pringle again won his own constituency decisively (by over 750 votes), demonstrating that his personal appeal to voters is strong and only growing. It is hard to imagine a better preparation for national leadership than what Mr. Pringle has undergone; he has been tempered by adversity and never lost sight of his duty to the public.
Third, Jamale Pringle exemplifies a unifying and forward-looking vision, which is exactly what the UPP requires to broaden its national appeal. Far from being a divisive figure, Mr. Pringle has consistently emphasized party unity and collaborative leadership.
During the recent leadership race, he pointedly refused to engage in any mudslinging against Richard Lewis, saying it “would be rather foolish to…smear campaign against each other, knowing that we must face the electorate with the same individuals”.
This maturity in putting the party’s cohesion first is a hallmark of Mr. Pringle’s approach. Since being elected Political Leader, he has reached out to bring everyone together and “reunite the party” after the convention.
In practical terms, he has outlined plans to strengthen the party’s infrastructure (such as establishing a party headquarters and a legal action fund to hold the government accountable), and he has made youth engagement a top priority.
Mr. Pringle has already begun meeting with the UPP’s Progressive Youth arm to mobilize young people and incorporate their vision. This kind of outreach is crucial for the UPP’s future growth – and it speaks to Mr. Pringle’s forward-looking mindset.
He understands that a successful leader must cultivate the next generation and address issues that matter to them.
Beyond internal party matters, Mr. Pringle’s vision for Antigua and Barbuda’s future is both people-centered and progressive.
He has expressed passion for youth development through expanding economic opportunities and even creative initiatives in culture and entertainment.
For example, he has been credited with organizing new community events like the “Miss Sunshine Pageant” aimed at uplifting young people and fostering community spirit.
These may seem like small steps, but they reflect a leader who is energetic, innovative, and in tune with the grassroots.
He sees leadership not simply in terms of parliamentary maneuvers, but in improving everyday life and giving citizens pride and opportunity – the very essence of the greater good. Importantly, Mr. Pringle has shown he can “pour oil on troubled waters” and mend fences when conflicts arise.
Colleagues have come to know him as a shrewd negotiator and stabilizing force, which is vital for holding together a broad coalition of supporters.
All these traits — empathy, pragmatism, vision, unity, and determination — are exactly what one should desire in a Prime Minister.
The True Greater Good for UPP and Country
Mr. Tabor’s article frames the issue as one of pragmatism: essentially asking UPP supporters to consider whether the “greater good” of winning the next election should override the party’s democratic choice of leader.
In rebuttal, I submit that the UPP’s best chance of winning and best hope for effective governance lies with Jamale Pringle, not with leaders of the past.
The party faithful recognized this when they elected Mr. Pringle, and even Mr. Lovell has publicly affirmed it. Abandoning Mr. Pringle in favor of another would not only betray the party’s internal democracy (and risk internal turmoil), but it would also likely fall flat with a public that has already turned away from Mr. Lovell and remains unconvinced by Mr. Lewis’s leadership aspirations.
In contrast, Mr. Pringle represents a fresh start and a bridge to the future – a leader who maintains the UPP’s core values but isn’t burdened by the disappointments of the past.
He is someone that undecided voters, especially younger ones, can take a second look at, as he defines himself on his own terms in the coming years.
It’s also worth remembering that elections are not won solely by popularity polls or name recognition; they are won by ground organization, united purpose, credible policies, and a leader who can inspire trust.
Mr. Pringle has been steadily building credibility by working in communities, championing issues that matter (from education to social support), and showing humility and growth in his role.
If the UPP rallies behind him wholeheartedly and presents a compelling agenda for change, there is every reason to believe Jamale Pringle can attract broad voter support.
He has already proven he can win over skeptical audiences – be it in his constituency or within his party – by dint of hard work and sincerity.
Those qualities, coupled with strategic savvy, are ultimately more decisive than a snapshot poll taken 3+ years before the next general election.
In conclusion, Harold Lovell and Richard Lewis each have their merits, but neither has demonstrated the winning leadership that the UPP requires at this critical juncture.
Mr. Lovell’s time as a frontline leader has passed, evidenced by multiple electoral defeats.
Mr. Lewis, despite his efforts, has not convinced the majority in his party that he is the man to lead, much less the nation. Jamale Pringle, on the other hand, offers a blend of fresh perspective, proven resilience, and genuine connection with the people.
He is a leader forged in adversity, with the vision to pursue the greater good in the truest sense – maximizing the well-being of the greatest number of our citizens, not just winning an election at all costs.
I firmly believe that under Mr. Pringle’s emphatic and forward-looking leadership, the UPP stands its best chance not only to win the next election, but to govern effectively in the interest of all Antiguans and Barbudans.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Supporter of Principled Leadership
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So true leadership has nothing to do with experience and commitment but everything to do with winning a seat!!! Gaston has won his seat three times over! I guess he’s the best man for the job, by your standards!!! Put Pringle in a different constituency first to test your theory before you make such broad claims!
What a load of BS this article has… Pringle has not shown any enthusiasm or has he inspired or motivated any independent voters to upp…. what world is this writer in? The facts are the reintroduction of Lovell has certainly shown some hope that upp could be back on track to challenge ALP. Pringle is not charismatic or intellectual enough to inspire independent voters who can get upp to win! Let’s face it, the upp base cannot carry the upp over the line alone! That’s just reality of it!! So writer, stop being so delusional and accept that’s just what it is! You can write all the fancy words and excuses but the fact remains, Pringle isn’t the guy for the job.
This is not even an informational or public relations piece.
It’s total hog wash stagecraft by ABLP operatives.
This is a well written and reasoned response to Mr. Tabor’s article. However, I find it disingenuous to discredit the work of Harold Lovell from uniting the Party and bringing to the point of victory in the 2023 general elections. Yes, he lost but his efforts must be commended. Pringle is no Harold Lovell and what Harold did then cannot be duplicated by Pringle. That is where Pringle is lacking and if the UPP cannot appreciate that then they deserve to remain in Opposition.
Leadership matters. Pringle from every indication is a very weak leader. A simple example is Harold Lovell replacing Barbara Coates in All Saints West. How was that decision brought to the public. It was brought by Harold and Coates. That is a party decision that the Political Leader should have brought to the punlic. Pringle just weak and his advisors Gisele, Wehner or Sylvester Browne cannot change that.
I wish Allister and Chaku would stop trying to write long drawn out articles. First off. Let’s take Jamale Pringle out of the sure seat.
Not that is said please understand my position. Jamale Pringle has never worked for a thing. He was given a sure seat and then handed the position of party leader, never really having to do the work. This man has shown no willingness to step into the role of leadership and this is because everyone around him has done the work for him. He has not improved over the 7 years in office. We the people cringe when he stands to speak in parliament. We await the next comic relief performance. And you want to call this man, the future of Antigua and Barbuda ( a whole fool you.) This man has shown us what it looks like to repeat class for 7 years because of lack of basic improvement abd you think this is who the people and the nation deserve. I know for a FACT, Harold Lovell tried with him as well as many others to no avail. Jamale Pringle likes the attention but he isn’t dri em to do the work. When we are out her struggling to send our children to college or to have them get certified to master their level, why then should our children have to look up to an individual who doesn’t even care to try. What kind of an example of a leader is that. All I’m saying is with Harold Lovell return, Jamale Pringle should do the honorable thing and step aside before we have to remove him unceremoniously. If the UPP Jamale Pringle received a party from a leader that brought them within 6 votes of winning and now he, Jamale Pringle has taken us almost ro a ABLP sweep.
Let me make thos clear. If Jamale Pringle remains leader. If Harold Lovell continues to be a balm and not wield his sword then its another 5 years for the ABLP. We the people will not jump from the frying pan to the fire with Jamale Pringle and that’s all.
I have only one thing to say to this coward of a writer. Put your name on the opinion you wrote. Tabor did for his. You are responding and hiding behind what. If you believe that your piece is worth reading then pit your name.
Be open to praise or criticism just like Tabor is.
Concern Supporter of Principal leadership my foot
YOU ARE A COWARD!!!!! that is what you are
COWARD!!!!!!!!!!
If the writer is a “coward” as you say, are you a “hypocrite”??? What will you tell Jesus on that day? You have to give account for the stewardship of your TIME more than anything else, Yet it would appear that most of your time is spent focusing on secular issues and building up Babylon rather than spreading the 3 Angels Message.
Wake up Winston!!! all earthly kingdoms will crumble. Only the kingdom of the Most High God will last forever!! Just ask Nebuchadnezzar.
Go back t your first love….because it seems politics has taken His place in your life
To propose that Jamal is better because Harold did not win his seat speaks to one’s political ignorance that can not be quantified. Leadership has more to do with moving people to be the best version of themselves rather than winning a race. If the fundamental principle of leadership is only grounded in winning and losing, then Baldwin would be considered to be a terrible leader. He lost government 14 to 3. Harold took a party decimated and tried to revive it with the worst crop of political prospects ever assembled in 2018
In 2023 he took 1 seat to 6 seats, with an unprecedented amount of monies spent to make sure he did not win, in a politically hostile environment.
The Allsaints East and St. Luke’s seat is always a strong seat for the opposition UPP not rocket science there. Harold could have transfered to that seat if it was just about winning. He stayed against the odds and fought. Not only that, he had to assist every other candidate as well.
You see as a leader it is always less about you and more about your team. It is always less about your victory and more about their’s. Harold resigned not because he lost his seat, Harold resigned because the weight of letting down his team and bringing them into government was too much at the time. So when we pontificate and talk crap under a cloud of secret articles remember Gaston done tell you all , we know your IP address. Save us the headache and state your name.
The problem I have with you people is simple this, put your name to the article and stop being cowards throwing stones from behind blank sheets and fake names.
This is Winston Henry what is your name writer????
The UPP appears to have done little to build and put forward a credible team for the imminent election. What’s a good Captain without a strong and experienced team? If I am at all close to the truth in my observations, the person leading this team-building effort, along with the current senior elected MP, needs to be replaced. Voters are looking for the best Parliamentary Team for Antigua and Barbuda. Please, UPP, show us the team and their designated portfolios.
oh so you want the Hon. Jamale Pringle to name his SHADOW CABINET????
Algernon Watts is Agriculture and FARMING FOOL
Shugy Simon is Sports and Fetting in Trinidad & skip Parliament
well said writer!!!! Harold loveLIE is a LOSER 7x over!!!!
Richard “JAMAICAN WIFE” Lewis is NOT A TEAMPLAYER!! He also thinks he is “owed” leadership
Hon. Jamale Pringle is the real GRASSROOTS, HUMBLE, ENTHUSIASTIC Leader needed and required to take down the current regime.
They never cease to amaze me.
I read and can tell every article related to the UPP and know which ones were written by a laboRAT and which ones weren’t.
The laboRATs are terribly scared of Harold Lovell and Richard Lewis.
They see Pringle as Gaston’s whipping boy.
It would be their delight for the UPP to go into an elections with Pringle as the leader.
That would be an easy walk over.
However it is not as straight forward for the ALP coming up against Harold Lovell or Richard Lewis.
And so in order to make it as easy as they would like they come up with all the reasons, according to them, why Pringle is the best leader.
Please tell me what makes Pringle a visionary leader?
Point to one idea that you, the writer, have heard being pushed by Pringle.
I had no idea that a press statement leader was a visionary leader.
How did that happen?
LaboRAT, I beg you.
Please concentrate on the fight between Gaston Browne and the Gastonites verses Chet and the laboRATs.
Leave the UPP alone.
We can unravel and eal with what is happening in the UPP.
We do not need you playing reverse psychology on anyone.
Keep that in the ALP.
Mr Lovell or Richard Lewis are the best thing for the UPP.
Pringle needs to do a Barbara Coates.
Dear Concerned Supporter of Proven Leadership, I am a staunch supporter of Harold Lovell but I have no problems with the views expressed except to say I do not believe Mr. Lovell ever lost a fair election to the ABLP, I will go to my grave believing that. It was G B who said that they transferred people into other constituency to sure them up. St. John’s City East was one of those constituencies
You will go to your grave supporting and believing a mere mortal??? wow! What about the account you have to give to Jesus in the Great White Throne Judgment? Is your hope anchored in Him or in mere mortals? Selassie dead and gone yet a cult deify him and glorify him. Politician is your god now? wake up!!!
People do not be fooled, this letter writer is an ABLP operative just trying to cause confusion within the UPP that is their modus operandi
Obviously someone within the UPP ranks is not happy with the return of Lovell.
This means another Lauer of division.
Lovell manipulated Coates to get the seat, and she unknowingly gave it up willingly.
Lovell need to drop the pretending and take a bow as a master politician.
UPP needs a 40 plus year old word smith, who is into social media, charismatic, and from the grassroots.
Am fleeing the scene when ALP and write articles romanticize the disillusionment that the upp has been going through these last few years, they are calling for full party destruction and balkanization because they noticing that Harold Lovell has energized the party and lifted the people of Antigua and Barbuda morale.
Keep a wise head and don’t succumb to internal competitive politics, but external political dynamism.
What ever is to be done to represent the people’s interest should be humbly carried out, there is no entitlement in the affairs of a country, people must be willing to push forward the appropriate person to pass on the baton in a race to save this nation from white monopoly capital domination. That is headed by men who are in it for conspicuous consumption and self enrichment, Ron saunders celebrated when Gaston and ALP was handed the country undemocraticaly financed by the one percenters to carry out their business interest over the majority black masses.
Real talk your full of s…….t don’t speak church or faith or God to Nobody. take the evil out of your eyes and then you will see clearly to judge others. If a person is willing to throw stones then put your name on the piece you want others to read. Let us see who u are, or are you too affraid?
It’s so easy to say things and curse people behind false names huh. It gets a bit more difficult when you stand by what u say with your name. So maybe you too since you love to comment and call people names. If your man, woman or what letter u are LGBTQ WXYZ choose one.
speak in your own name otherwise I don’t have anymore time for B/S. put you name and back your chat bunch of cowards you are, love to fire hit behind blank screens….
Back your CHAT!!!!
How is your WIFE??? You entered into a COVENANT with her in the presence of God and the holy angels. Remember the MARRIAGE COVENANT IS FOR LIFE!!!!
Politics is your obsession. You live, eat, breath, and drink it. When last you told some lost soul about Jesus love fir them??
Your intimate entanglement with politics has COMPROMISED YOUR WITNESS. How shall you stand in that Great Day?
Flee politics and return to Jesus. The signs of the times are fulfilling all around us.
Take heed Winston
Take heed
Don’t put politics before the Great I AM
The HON. LARS JAMALE PRINGLE IS THE DULY ELECTED LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.
No one else won the leadership position at Convention
I say Jamale Pringle is the right choice of leader for the UPP according to Gisele, Whener, Alister Pearl, Chaku and the other delusional and blind leaders of the Party. We will see in time to come.
@ V for Vendetta you took a long time before reciting your usual BS. Where were you. When the UPP lose the next general elections under Pringle what will you say. Maybe absolutely nothing since you might go into hiding.
UPP supporters are allowing the Gastonites and some of the dumb Labourites to control the narrative, I say some Labourites, because not all are dumb there are some sensible ones, they are just waiting for Chet to step forward, they are still pissed with the way Gaston treated Lester Bird and the awful things he said about him to get their revenge.
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