The United Progressive Party is now engaged in one of the most brazen acts of political hypocrisy in its modern history.
When Anthony Smith Jr. resigned from the UPP, he did not leave quietly.
He laid out clear reasons: a toxic internal culture, marginalization, poor leadership, and a party direction that no longer aligned with democratic principles or political reality. For this, he was pilloried.
His motives were questioned. His character was attacked. His decision was framed as treachery rather than conscience.
The party leadership under Chairman D. Gisele Isaac and Political Leader Jamale Pringle closed ranks. Supporters defended
the status quo with near-religious fervor. And many senior figures who knew better chose silence. Ironically Harold Lovell was over all party elections at the time.
Fast-forward a few months.
On Observer Radio, the masks slipped.
Kelvin “Shuggy” Simon, Algernon “Serpent” Watts, and Richard Lewis publicly articulated the same criticisms Anthony Smith Jr. was condemned for expressing:
– Leadership paralysis
– Poor strategic direction
– Internal dysfunction
– A chairmanship style viewed as divisive and authoritarian
– A political leader failing to inspire national confidence
Strangely, Gisele Isaac walk-out of the party peacemaking retreat was never discussed, what a big laugh.
Now, a growing faction within the UPP,
loudly backing Harold Lovell for the leadership has gone even further. Their attacks on the Isaac chairmanship and Pringle’s leadership have been relentless and unforgiving.
They say the party is broken.
They say it is drifting.
They say it is being destroyed from within.
But here is the inconvenient truth they refuse to confront:
Anthony Smith Jr. said all of this first.
And when he did, they abandoned him.
They did not defend him.
They did not stand with him.
They did not even argue in good faith.
Instead, they allowed the party machinery to demonize him, while pretending the problems he identified did not exist.
Now those same problems are being shouted from radio studios and factional meetings as if they are sudden discoveries.
This is not political evolution.
This is political cowardice.
You cannot crucify a man for speaking the truth, then turn around and build a movement on that same truth without acknowledging your own role in his isolation.
You cannot pretend that timing absolves hypocrisy.
If the UPP’s current internal rebellion is justified and by their own words it is — then Anthony Smith Jr. was right. And if he was right, then the party leadership and its silent enablers were Very wrong.
It means admitting that personal loyalties were placed above the health of the party. And it means offering a public apology to Anthony Smith Jr. is the right thing to do.
Not because he left.
But because he told the truth before they were brave enough, or desperate enough, to repeat it.
History is unforgiving to hypocrisy.
And right now, the UPP is arguing with itself using Anthony Smith Jr.’s words, while pretending his name was never attached to them. Another big laugh…?
That is not leadership.
That is not unity.
That is shameful politics.
One need to ask however, who are the money-changers behind Harold Lovell return to politics.
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Agreed!! 100%
There will always be differences among members of a political party, it exists in both the UPP and the ABLP. The difference is members of ABLP are afraid of Gaston Brown because they are all matchstick men, some say jellyfish (no backbone at all).
Anthony (modern day Judas) Smith quite possibly had his problems but he stuck with UPP because that’s the only way he could have won his seat then stabbed the constituents and Party in the back. I would still respect him if he left the Party before the election and ran as an Independent
This is lamentably unsettling as every democracy needs a healthy opposition in light of the fact that the electorate can unknowningly make a change based on local politics at the constituency level. We don’t for a Prime Minister, but rather for candidates.
When you’re unprepared as a party with no clear and decisive direction, the people will become confused, especially your core supporters who might decide to abstain from the voting process.
You’re literally handing the incumbent the victory, albeit your dislike for the current administration.
Now, in my view, our people would be frankly foolhardy for the people to unelect the current administration as they have begun some serious work to build a stronger economy in education, infrastructure, business, entrepreneurship and tourism.
The bar has been set high and cannot be halted by any noises from an unprepared opposition who choose to roll and wallow in the mud of misery all the expense of their legitimacy.
Every project expected by the government of wrong, or no good in their political eyes. They create misleading narratives believing that they’re gaining ground with their audience.
Just look at the way they facilitated a simple primary in the St. George constituency is search of a new candidate to replace the one-time representative who allegedly didn’t officially inform his constituents or branch that he no longer wishes to serve, or whatever people choose to call it.
They say that they pay by the rules. Which rule? As far as I’m aware, the standard terms of reference in any bylaws or constitution of any organization, votes cannot be taken if there is not a quorum. They have over 200 members but only 16 were financial, with only 13 bothered to show up to vote.
And you’re insisting that you’re following the rules?
Please, give me a phensic and some bush tea. No one is buying your argument.
Anthony Smith is lucky that he dodged the bullet of all this drama.
We believe you, we accept you, we empower you, because you possess managerial skills that this country needs to build out our economic powerhouse and lifestyle superpower.
No surprise form Miss Ray, you are a regular choir member and will always be singing for your supper. Some day soon the choir will be no more
Smith ought to have maintained discretion on this matter. Whenever his name arises, even in private conversations, the epithet “Baby Judas” is recalled. He will never escape this biblical association: a good name and reputation is more valuable than gold!!
“Baby Judas,” kindly take your seat.
@Dave Ray there you go with your babel. Have you set up a Website, Facebook/META or Instagram page as yet, to have those Nationals in the Diaspora engaging each other in meaningful dialogue? Most middle school students in the diaspora could do this overnight, yet here you are as the so called Director of Diaspora Affairs and not even an ad from you.
I’m quite sure, that Fifth Ave and Hollywood Blvd taught you the power of advertising.
If you any such Website, Facebook/META, Instagram, X or Truth Social page set up, I stand corrected, then please post such on this well read public forum, otherwise your BABEL is better suited for the waste recycling bin.
That a what I don’t like, Dave ray is an intelligent person and could have made meaningful contribution, but when you allow your intelligence to colonized and compartmentalize by Gaston and ALP, your writing is rather visceral and fanatic, I rather not been colonized by ALP or UPP or even the church, so I can have my objective opinion on any subject matter.
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