United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for All Saints West Harold Lovell says the government has had three terms to resolve key national issues such as water and roads but has failed to deliver, arguing that voters should now demand a change in leadership.
Speaking on Observer Radio’s Connecting with Dave Lester Payne, Lovell criticised the administration led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, saying longstanding problems remain unresolved despite repeated mandates.
“If you give somebody a job to do, and they go through one term… they don’t do it. They beg for a second term… they don’t do it. They’ve come back for a third term, and they still haven’t done it,” Lovell said, referring to the country’s ongoing water issues.
“There can be no excuses for that,” he added, arguing that the government lacks a systematic plan to address major challenges.
Lovell said the administration has been “lurching from really one crisis to another,” pointing to water shortages, deteriorating roads and the rising cost of living as key concerns raised by residents.
On infrastructure, he criticised the government’s road programme, saying there is no clear strategy guiding spending despite a 40 percent increase in vehicle licensing fees.
“You don’t have a road construction and maintenance plan… they’re just spending money and not spending it in a wise way,” he said.
He also questioned how contracts are awarded, alleging that decisions are driven by political influence rather than competence.
“Contracts are not given out on the basis of competence… it’s on the basis of who can get a blight from the minister,” Lovell said, adding that pricing decisions are being handled by Cabinet rather than technical experts.
Lovell said the result is poor-quality work, citing roads that have already begun to deteriorate shortly after completion.
“It is a waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
He also took aim at what he described as politically driven social support programmes, particularly the distribution of food vouchers, arguing that benefits are not allocated fairly.
“The way in which the vouchers are distributed… it is totally unfair,” he said, claiming that only government ministers and candidates have access to them while opposition representatives do not.
Lovell argued that this creates dependency and political advantage, saying assistance should instead be based on clear criteria accessible to all citizens.
“It cannot be that I am a friend of the minister… and I get the benefit,” he said.
More broadly, he accused the administration of relying on short-term measures timed around elections rather than implementing sustainable policies.
“You have not seen any well-thought-out programmes that are going to extend over a period of time,” Lovell said, pointing to temporary tax relief measures as examples of “sweeteners” designed for electoral gain.
He also raised concerns about transparency in government decision-making, including uncertainty surrounding road projects and negotiations with overseas contractors.
“We don’t know exactly what happened… it’s a secret,” he said.
Lovell further questioned the government’s handling of external pressures, including visa restrictions affecting Antiguans and Barbudans, saying the public has not been given clear explanations or a plan of action.
“Why is this whole thing shrouded in secrecy?… what are they telling us as a people?” he asked.
On economic pressures, he challenged claims that the government is cushioning rising fuel prices, arguing that the impact has not yet been felt and that such statements are misleading.
“It’s just smoke and mirrors trying to fool people,” Lovell said.
Looking ahead, Lovell said the UPP will campaign on what he described as an “issues-driven” platform focused on lowering the cost of living, improving infrastructure and restoring fairness in public services.
“Which administration is better able to address the needs of the people… in a way that is sustainable and fair?” he said.
He added that voters dissatisfied with current conditions should not stay home on election day.
“Not voting cannot be a solution… let’s make a change and at least give the United Progressive Party an opportunity,” Lovell said.
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Lovell want a change for what and to what?
With all the water investments and other strategic resources in place, what else he want?
What can he do for Antiguans and Barbudans?
Dear Mr Lovell
I just listened to my representative, Hon. Richard Lewis on Observer, and I must say that was a master class of an MP going out there and representing his constituency.
He did not get into the drama of what UPP is in right now, but he outlined the problems in his constituency and how he is helping to alleviate some of them according to his capabilities.
He talked about his advocacy over the years starting the day after the UPP lost the 2023 elections. He told of the many projects he has undertaken even at his own expense. The people I spoke to after hearing him are very proud of him. He is also very vocal in his representation in Parliament. We are very fortunate to have him here.
He is articulate, quick-thinking, methodical. He is especially very caring about the people he represents and his love for his constituency where he was born. He is not an MP that you have to light candle to go and look for.
This is my advice to you, Mr Lovell, whether you will be the leader or not, because the one there now is not making it. Please advise the other caretakers to take a page out of Mr Lewis; book and go out there and try to promote the work they are doing in their constituency. If they do so then because one one full basket, maybe UPP might be able to add up the hard work undertaken in each constituency and pull off a win.
They have to promote their constituencies and not try to solve the problems of the UPP and its present shenanigans. Things don’t look good for the party. Try to embrace those who are working hard and encourage those who are not to stop the plenty talk and start the hard work.
This includes you too. You had 2 hours this week and most of what you did was to relive the past. Get with it. You can do better than that.
Big up to my representative. My MP. The Honorable Richard Lewis, member for St John’s Rural West.
Of course they failed..
These people haven’t even fulfilled 1/3 of their campaign promises in 12 years, and they are already calling for an election after just three failed years in their current term.
Call election to do what, just to disappoint the people more with their failed agenda.
In the 6 years, roughly two terms since COVID strike the world, this administration has taken the island nation nowhere.
In fact we have fell off in many categories that Antigua was leading in..
Not even our cricket we have to be proud of these days, and our culture has been sold out to foreigners. This is why many Antiguan’s in the dispora won’t even attempt to come back home to live, because they don’t even recognize their place of birth anymore.
This is not just us rambling, it’s of a truth that the place has gone to the dogs, literally.
All the dilapidated buildings tell the story, and the city is stinky to high heavens without even proper facilities for someone to take a leak.
If these are the people in leadership to take us forward in the next 25 years, then we are doom to misery.
Just look at the crime rate, just look.
We need more honest people in politics, and not just those who are out to rob and scheme from the people.
We have lost Antigua to robbers and theives..and everyone in Antigua knows that.
Think people, think.
The leadership of the UPP only have time to cuss out the one or two MPs who working hard in their constituencies. They are so full of resentment for some of their fellow members that they cannot see that it has damaged the party.
How is that change helpful? It makes Franz look like he couldn’t wait to flee. Who now will want to go to City South?
Maybe Gisele Isaacs will go this time. Before Michael Burton she said it was to be she but she let Burton go before her. Like if anybody believed that crap. The woman is lazy. Only want to run the UPP from her bed in her nightie and writing stories in the newspaper.
The UPP has no dynamism at its head. The chairman just wants to tell off people who displease her, the leader has become very boast and full of himself, and the secretary has the record for the most invisible political party secretary. She is what you call a disappearing act, especially at a time where she is most needed to big up the party, she is sitting in the office of a former leader and counting his money.
How does UPP expect to win when the 3 most important persons in the party are so dysfunctional?
IMF
ROMANTIC RHYTHMS
ABST HOTEL RIPOFF
WADADLI POWER CAN’T
CANT PARK AT EAST BUS STATION
BANKING SECTOR COLLAPSER
BAICO COLLAPSER
ANTI-UWI FIVE ISLANDS CAMPUS
@ A gleam of light for UPP
Sadly that is how both parties operate. Instead of pointing out what they will be doing, they point out what the other party has not done.
This is a double edged sword as the the failings they are pointing out were the same things that happened under their tenures.
Problem with stating what they will be doing is that when they get into office the first thing they will say is that the treasury is empty and so they are not able to honor their promises.
We all know the drills and tactics of both parties.
We need new blood in both parties.
Wah mek Lovell nah go siddung an’ ress he old self. Cha!