A strong majority of respondents in an informal online poll say Antigua and Barbuda should require national debates ahead of general elections, signalling growing public demand for greater scrutiny of political candidates.
The poll, conducted on the Pineapple Express 268 Facebook page, found that 93 percent of participants supported mandatory debates, with 88 percent strongly in favour. Only a small minority opposed the idea, while a few remained undecided.
The results point to a recurring concern among voters — that elections are often decided without candidates being publicly tested against each other in a structured setting.
Some participants pushed back on the idea. One commenter dismissed debates as ineffective, arguing that most voters have already made up their minds. She also questioned the cost of hosting such events, suggesting they may amount to little more than an expensive exercise with limited real impact.
A second poll on the same platform highlighted a different but related issue — voter behaviour when dissatisfaction with candidates arises. In a scenario where a preferred party’s candidate underperforms, 86 percent of respondents said they would choose not to vote at all. Far fewer indicated they would switch allegiance or vote based on overall party performance.
The findings suggest a segment of the electorate that is reluctant to cross party lines but equally unwilling to support weak candidates — a dynamic that could influence close constituency races.
While the polls are informal and reflect a limited online audience, they point to an electorate increasingly seeking accountability while grappling with disillusionment about the political process.
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My! My!! My!!!
This labour gang is really desperate.
Their actions come to show them up in the end.
This is the reason Gaston wanted to keep Pringle as the leader of the party.
I saw through it a long time ago.
Well, Gaston, you had the opportunity to legislate mandatory debate between party heads.
You failed.
You thought it would be a walk over Pringle in the park.
Let us deal with this simple question.
We all know that Miss Wink-up is behind Cadres polls.
We know Lindlay Winter is behind another poll.
We also know the Jamaican pollster.
Who is behind THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS 268 FACEBOOK POLL?
Another agent of Gaston who is shocked to see the momentum the UPP has picked up since the elections were announced.
Why, oh why are you laboRATs so transparent????
Gaston, you want a debate?
No problem.
You will debate Harold Lovell, Richard Lewis or Sherfield Bowens.
They are all bringing the UPP message.
That’s what debates are all about.
They are to bring out ideas.
They are not meant to show how beautiful nor crazy anyone is.
Further the world knows that Gaston is like a bull in a China shop.
His credibility is lower than sweet potat or white lotato.
Only laboRATs who do not read will accept without any check his points.
Why did you now wait for the five years term and then you could call on the leader of the UPP for a national debate.
You always believe that you should have an unfair advantage.
Well, sorry for you.
There wiil be NONEI!!!
Case Closed!!!!!!!!⁷
Gaston would destroy and I mean destroy and I mean destroy Pingle no flakes no crumbs left back..
Ok so Gaston want talk about something institutional that he has learn since he went around politics with Lester hoping that Pringle have not been in a governing party as yet.
Ok since you Gaston love to fraudulently dib yourself an accountant of some sort I shall let Sherfield Bowen pulverize you, we matching by shadow minister, Gaston you don’t want Sherfield make a football out of you like Julian Rodgers did that morning on observer radio where you were so embarrassed by Julian Rodgers a non banker that you had to call back in three times that morning to try and rebut Julian Rodgers who’s mathematical calculation was far surpass you Gaston.
I laughed that morning how Julian Rodgers thrashed you, I guess if that debate was to be host by Julian Rodgers asking the questions you so $hit in your pants, you are looking for a parasitical debates where you get Pringle to say something then you become a parasite on that one topic.
Ok so Gaston want talk about something institutional that he has learn since he went around politics with Lester hoping that Pringle have not been in a governing party as yet.
Ok since you Gaston love to fraudulently dub yourself an accountant of some sort I shall let Sherfield Bowen pulverize you, we matching by shadow minister, Gaston you don’t want Sherfield make a football out of you like Julian Rodgers did that morning on observer radio where you were so embarrassed by Julian Rodgers a non banker that you had to call back in three times that morning to try and rebut Julian Rodgers who’s mathematical calculation was far surpass you Gaston.
I laughed that morning how Julian Rodgers thrashed you, I guess if that debate was to be host by Julian Rodgers asking the questions you do $hit in your pants, you are looking for a parasitical debates where you get Pringle to say something then you become a parasite on that one topic.
Why did you reject the offer when Harold Lovell was the Leader of the opposition? Anyway, this one should be a fair debate if you’ll be truthful.
What if Pringle earpiece malfunction during the debate? Lipstick Hog has to program him with a Mark of the Beast chip implant going forward. Can’t afford to do a CA-CA-CA-PASSY-TAH, MASKses and UPSIDE-DOWN BIBLE stunt during the debate.
If they are saying it is a democratic system,all parties should have equal time to prepare every forur or five years and a due date ,like the middle of March. Then all can be ready. The present system cannot be fair to all.
The ABLP seems set for a clean sweep of all 17 seats, and the UPP, as it stands, may cease to be a viable political force.
The will also be good showcase for independent candidates. The hardline party politics will soften a bit with debates. So hope you are not thinking about ABLP and UPP only. There are others who can come forward and out perform the party candidates. Lots of these candidates were hand picked by their parties. Some have no ties , no relationship to the communities they are seeking to represent. All the elections giving away by both parties and the use of state resources to gain or regain power. A comprehensive constitutional reform should take place first. This will definitely strengthen our democracy. Things like campaign funds should be a part of the discussion.
America stop us from getting visa to enter their country. Now, we want to have Election Debates like them. I don’t know of any other country that have Election Debates but America. If there is/are other countries, please let me know by replying to my comment.
Election Debates is a great idea; however, let us not follow suit other countries.
Uncle Gassy mi love you but you nar win all 17 seats. Mah can tell you that for a fact. Last election yall should have been worried about the 6 seats Upp won. Upp was almost got a win. Yall should have pushed harder than ever instead of wait till close to election. Pringle,Richard and Shugy seat sure for sure. So you aint getting the 17 Uncle.
Uncle Gassy you nah go get 17 seats. I can tell you that. Ah woulda give the UPP a chance cuz we need a change. I live Marble Hill and I was in a situation where I went to Max,you left a card on my door knob leaving your contact number everything. I reached out to upu and it was like almost begging so i stopped. Someone say go to Pringle. I was like nah im a ALP nobody a cut style pon me. They say no he is not like that. I tell you eh i went to Pringle office on Market Street and saw him in person and spoke with him very cool and down to earth and that man I tell you gave a helping hand. Some of you ministers dont help from yall heart more times is watch yall watch who people vote for.
Uncle Gassy you nah go get 17 seats. I can tell you that. Ah woulda give the UPP a chance cuz we need a change. I live Marble Hill and I was in a situation where I went to Max,you left a card on my door knob leaving your contact number everything. I reached out to upu and it was like almost begging so i stopped. Someone say go to Pringle. I was like nah im a ALP nobody a cut style pon me. They say no he is not like that. I tell you eh i went to Pringle office on Market Street and saw him in person and spoke with him very cool and down to earth and that man I tell you gave a helping hand. Some of you ministers dont help from yall heart more times is watch yall watch who people vote for.
As the time runs out, we must take heed of this blitz the ABLP is pushing. This blitz shouldn’t even be necessary—if they had been doing their jobs from the start, we wouldn’t need this rushed, intense effort now. When they rely on a blitz, it’s a sign of fear—big bulletin boards all over the streets of Antigua, splashed with their message. They’re trying to outspend, not outdo. This isn’t about more ads—it’s about doing the work. The roads should already be repaired; the water should already be flowing. And we should be able to get our visas, go about our lives, but instead, the CIP program has left us compromised. It didn’t help the little man—it just funneled money into their own circle, while we saw nothing. And don’t even get me started on the boat sale, with its enormous kickbacks. Let this be a wake-up call. Don’t fall for the mirage. This blitz is a desperate move—selfish, short-sighted—and if they really cared about the country, they would have performed from day one, giving the people a fair chance to choose. Instead, they called this election early—two and a half years ahead—showing their desperation, their self-interest. So, don’t be fooled—this is about them, not us. Let the people decide, and don’t drink the Kool-Aid. The blitz should never have been needed—because the job should have been done from the beginning.
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