United Progressive Party All Saints West caretaker Harold Lovell says the UPP may defer its constitutionally due April convention — where leadership positions are contested — if party leaders determine that holding it at that time would undermine unity or strategic focus.
Speaking at length on Observer Radio, Lovell said the party’s constitution requires a convention every two years, but stressed that political judgment must guide how and when that obligation is fulfilled. “The issue of the convention, of course, is governed by the constitution of the party,” he said. “And the constitution states that a convention is held biennially or every other year.”
Lovell said that while members would normally expect a convention in April, the constitution does not exist in a vacuum. “You would expect that the convention would be held in at least April of this year,” he said, but added that there are circumstances where strict timing must give way to prudence.
“There’s a proviso — it’s not written in the constitution — but for strategic or other reasons, the party has to exercise judgment,” Lovell said, arguing that unity should outweigh rigid adherence to dates when leadership contests risk internal division.
Lovell warned that conventions, while necessary, can become destabilizing if not handled carefully. “The party should continue to engage with its members and supporters, fostering a culture of respect and tolerance,” he said, cautioning against rhetoric or actions that could fracture the organisation as leadership positions are contested.
He emphasized that the purpose of the convention process is to strengthen the party, not weaken it. “The objective must always be to present a united front,” Lovell said, adding that the UPP’s focus should remain on preparing to govern rather than internal conflict.
Lovell did not signal whether he intends to seek any leadership position, nor did he endorse any contender. Instead, he framed his remarks around institutional stability and electoral readiness, saying the party must avoid “divisive language” and unnecessary confrontation as it approaches a national election cycle.
The UPP has not announced a date for its next convention.
WATCH: As the United Progressive Party prepares for a leadership contest, All Saints West caretaker Harold Lovell says the April convention could be deferred if holding it risks party unity. Speaking on Observer Radio, Lovell said constitutional requirements must be balanced with political judgment and cohesion.
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Who told
You UPP
Was
Preparing for leadership contest? Governances is the Primary Objective.
That deportee on Crusader Radio has Lovell shitting in his pants 😆 🤣 😂 so Lovell run to Dave Lester Payne to try and change his shitty diaper after the 💩 💩 start run down his leg.
The UPP’s CONSTITUTION states that a convention must be held biennially.
Is Lovell as a “LAWyer” implying that the CONSTITUTION should be BROKEN????
Miss Knight jarz bigger than fu he
What party “UNITY” is the LOSER referring to??
When will you accept that you a part a de problem??? Going back to your evil divisive ways. You badplay Joanne Massiah and Richard Lewis.
King Lyadd Lovell Limpy Joe IMF Pimp gwarn go bout u bizniz and ‘low Pringle please.
This man so DOORTISH that Sandals gave him a flimsy ass plaque in recognition of him allowing them to keep $100,000,000.00+ of TAXPAYERS MONIES .
Horrible Tourism minister
Horrible Finance minister
Horrible MP
Horrible UPP leader
Harold is the point being missed that there could also be a Convention with certain positions being unchallenged?
That Canadian cold weather messing with Harold. He losing his marbles.
Didn’t the CHAOS DEMON aka Lipstick Hag aka Man Cow say it wouldn’t run again ???
Those are nice words about “cautioning against rhetoric or actions that could fracture the organization”.
However, where were you and the chairman when you had a clown on your radio station cutting you and the MPs to pieces, mind you, your radio station? Where were you when he used some of the vilest language heard on a radio station? Wasn’t his rhetoric aimed at you intended to fracture?
It was obvious the show host could not control him, but were you both afraid to control him or get him off the air? Or was he encouraged to go there to take you and the MPs apart?
You cannot come with your pretty speech and yet be in fear of curbing this man and his nasty tongue and the horrible things he said about you and the MPs on their own radio station. He obviously has an agenda which he thinks nobody is wise enough to see.
You are boxing yourself into a corner by refraining from dealing with some of the foolishness that is going on in the UPP. Either the strategy you’re using is not a good one, or you are too fearful of stepping up and leading from the front. You cannot be a leader and head for the exit when adverse situations occur.
@Well.
If Horald has lost his marble’s, the GB has lost both his marbles and the country right along with it. I guess the crime rate doesn’t mean nothing to idiots like you? Oh don’t answer that, it’s just a rhetorical question.
Antigua is lost, gone to the winds.
So a dat u fu study.
Bloody idiot.
Look, even I’ll admit that the UPP has made mistakes at the helm – at least we hold our hands up, whereas the ABLP are afraid to challenge or stand up to Browne destabilising antics.
Yes, the UPP did have an upward trajectory when it looked more than likely that the Honourable Richard was going to head up the UPP; and since his surprising defeat, they did lose some momentum. However, with the return of Malaka Parker and Harold Lovell, all is not lost!
Gaston, his cohorts and supporters will try and capitalise on this “so-called” disharmony, but what the UPP have with this OPEN dialogue amongst the members is a lot more healthier than belonging to a government that are subservient, show deference and ‘fraid to stand up to the Prime Minister on anything!
What Gaston says goes…
I love it when the Labour Party Scavengers get a break to gasp some air. Just mention Alfa Nero and Vehicle Theft and they resort to their hibernation hideouts.
Oh, BTW, it’s nice to know that the ABLP acolytes always come out of hibernation whenever the names of Jamal Pringle or Harold Lovell is mentioned; while Antigua’s economy is tanking, and taxes and crimes are rising!
Get your damn priorities right nah!!!
Will all of you kindly stay out of upp Business..
Eh!
Geez!
Study gaston and chet.hmm
That Business is so much juicer
“There’s a proviso!” But… “It’s not written in the constitution.” So… where did the ‘proviso’ come from? What does it say? Who decides if the constitution should be violated with this ‘proviso’? What are the conditions that ‘trigger’ the use of this non-existent ‘proviso’? Is this ‘proviso’ meant to protect those whose positions may be in jeopardy if the ‘constitutionally due’ elections are held? Are those people who want to protect their positions the same people who will trigger and enact the use of this “not-in-the-constitution ‘proviso’”?
The idiotic statement “ Jamal Pringle is the duly elected leader”. The same principle coukd be applied to Lovell in this case.
I will not be naive and idiotic to say Harold Lovell should shut his month, for he is not even an elected Parliamentarian.
Politics is not a four sided game. My money is on Richard Lewis. He needs to get out and make his case.
Prior to his loss of the leadership challenge has seemingly retreated from the public.
Time for Lewis to display a ramrod backbone of steel and make his case to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Gaston Browne can be easily taken down, Richard Lewis has to step coward and make the case. No one better in the UPP to do so.
* Lewis has to step foward and make the case
Strategic thinking. If such convention will cause chaos, and a civil war then I am in agreement it is the best strategic thing to do. Unity is currently needed more than ever for UPP to have any kind of chance at winning. They need to focus on these two things: unity and proving competence.
Strategically, I believe some older UPP need to be active in the party with the younger and new guys/girls. There were no strategic introduction of the new and younger guys from the older one. The older guys just disappeared while the new guys magically appeared without adequate support or introduction.
For UPP to have a chance at winning, I know educated voters or those with some commonsense want to see Unity and competence with UPP. The person who will be Prime Minister if UPP win must be tremendously accomplished or show that they are surrounded by support that is highly competent.
Again, I think UPP is failing to market that they are to voters.
This is like a government saying “delay the elections or else we might lose”. Forget the Constitution, just follow some kind of make-up ‘provisio’ and not have the elections. The rules are the rules, and should be followed event when not convenient
@Marcus Mottley
That is the real question. Such a Disgrace coming from an attorney
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