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The UPP’s PAC Fiasco: Missteps, Misinformation, and a Manufactured Spectacle — What a Clownshow!
St. John’s, Antigua — Yesterday’s so-called Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting, loudly and prematurely promoted by Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions.
The absence of a quorum rendered the event non-functional from the outset.
But the real story is not just poor attendance—it’s the deepening chaos, questionable tactics, and mounting credibility issues now haunting the leadership of the United Progressive Party (UPP).
A Performance Without a Script
From the beginning, signs pointed to dysfunction. With Government-side members Hon. Daryll Matthew and Hon. Anthony Smith Jr. both off-island, and Hon. Melford Nicholas reportedly unresponsive to the meeting notice, PAC Chair Pringle knew a quorum was unlikely, having received an excuse from his counterpart, Trevor Walker.
Yet instead of canceling formally and informing all stakeholders—as proper parliamentary protocol dictates—he proceeded to invite supporters and members of the public to what was effectively a non-event.
Even more troubling is the revelation from Shirfield Bowen, UPP Deputy Political Leader, who disclosed during a media interview that Pringle had received official correspondence indicating the meeting was canceled.
Bowen, a senior figure in the party, claimed he was never informed by Pringle—a glaring communication breakdown at the highest levels of the opposition.
Manufactured Drama or Political Strategy?
The episode descended into farce when the Special Services Unit (SSU) was called to clear the parliamentary chambers.
Pringle later accused the police of “overreach,” claiming that taxpayers had merely accepted his invitation to observe democracy in action.
But observers are asking: Why would the Opposition Leader lead civilians into a closed parliamentary precinct when he was aware that no meeting could legally or procedurally take place?
Additionally, Hon. Jamale Pringle must be asked why he canceled the original date of the PAC meeting.
The answer may lie not in oversight but in strategy—albeit a flawed one. Was this a staged moment meant to portray the UPP as victims of political suppression?
If so, the execution was clumsy and amateurish, reflective of the UPP’s usual approach.
The optics of a confused crowd, locked doors, and law enforcement present painted not a picture of injustice but of internal disarray.
Where Are the Advisors?
This incident raises serious concerns about the advisory structure around the Opposition Leader.
Where are Paul “Pablo” Ryan? Where are Dr. Emanuel and the cadre of supposed strategists meant to guide the party’s messaging and parliamentary conduct?
Is it the puppet master alone making decisions for the party? So, who, if anyone, is providing Pringle with competent procedural advice?
The UPP’s political operation seems rudderless—more street theatre than statesmanship. Jonathan Whener’s appearance on Jacqui Quinn’s show, promoting the debacle, appeared less like serious policy discussion and more like promotion of the chaotic script.
Meanwhile, political commentator Franz DeFreitas’ inflammatory suggestions that citizens should have unimpeded access to Parliament even during closures risk inciting public misunderstanding of how democratic institutions function.
A Serious Committee, Not a Side Show
The PAC is not a stage for spectacle—it is a vital part of parliamentary accountability. With its operations already challenged, the Leader of the Opposition should be resolute in scrutinizing public spending, ensuring transparency, and holding the government to account.
Reducing it to political theatre undermines not just the committee’s credibility but also the public’s trust in the UPP’s ability to govern effectively.
In their rush to make headlines, the UPP seems to have forgotten that good governance requires more than outrage and optics. It demands diligence, discipline, and above all, respect for the institutions they aspire to lead.
The Way Forward
This is a moment for reflection, not retaliation. The UPP must get its internal communications in order, clarify its leadership structure, and ensure parliamentary engagement is conducted professionally.
If the party hopes to present a credible alternative to the electorate, it must abandon the circus and return to serious, structured politics.
The nation deserves more than theatrics — it deserves leadership.
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Clownshow? Well if politics is theatre, this one was front row madness.
Both sides playing games and the people getting tired. Time to get serious.
Me watching this whole saga like one episode of Jerry Springer. LMAO
I expected better. This was just a spectacle for Facebook clips.
Honestly, Me tired of the blame game. Somebody need to just do the work.
Author you are spot on! Another “tactic” cooked up in Man Cow’s backyard to attempt to distract the people from the recent quashing of the Alfa Nero subpoenas……UPP lost in their attempts to smear Antigua and Barbuda.
Mr. Pringle could have very well informed the public via his Facebook page, via radio etc etc
A wah he mean fu do. Now he end up looking like the clown!
How you come that both sides playing games.its the upp that is playing games and lying to the public Pringle was informed that both Minister Matthews and minister Smith was off island Mr.walker send a messaged informing him Pringle that’s he’s not going to make the meeting and Minister Nicholas didn’t respond so he knows that there could me a meeting Pringle is just a lying fool.
he trying to get sympathy, but it just makes him look incompetent and daft! No wonder Richard, Serpent, Shugy and Bowen boycott the “meeting”.
Goes to show not even his own MPs have any confidence in him. What a fool of a clown!
May I politely remind the writer of this very one-sided piece of Prejudiced, Preferential and Partisan attack on the opposition party.
May I remind the author that we are in this tax draining and very expensive predicament is due to Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
Here’s 5 reasons why he should take full responsibility:
1), He totally ignored the majority of citizens, who warned him not to get involved in the first instance.
2), Taking someone else’s property without their consent is morally wrong and reprehensible.
3), If anyone had taken/stolen an expensive item that belonged to the Prime Minister, many right-minded and concerned citizens (including myself) would have supported the PM.
4), Blaming the UPP for his own negligence is akin to inculpating the opposition in the dire straights the country now find itself in over the last 11 years of HIS poor tutelage.
5), Gaston Browne must take FULL responsibility for this particular ongoing noxious MIASMA with the Alpha Nero.
Blaming the UPP only comforts the foolish …
Writer I have had not commented on the earlier article about the meeting, cause I knew that the meeting couldn’t take place because there was no quorum. It was known that two of the members where not on Island. And the thing is Mr. Nicholas has suggested to him many times that they could meet via Zoom. But Pringle want the optics. He want to show the UPP supporters how he would chair a meeting in our parliament building. He is just running a Pappyshow.
Each time the parliament meet we the public see it live on TV. We do not need to go and sit in the parliament building to see how democracy works. And up until this day, Pringle’s performance is and was far below par. He is a failure in any debate he engage in. His spoken words is less then what a fifth grader would be and he read most of the time from his phone. As if someone is dictating him what to say.
But writer you’ve said it all. And I thank you for putting it in such a nice way in writing.
Pringle better go play Dolley House with Gissel and them.
My Grade 3 nephew reads better and more fluent than Mr. Pringle
not a good look for the Hon. Jamal Pringle.
Not a good look.
Brixtonian
June 6, 2025 At 10:03 am
Brixtonian or Christopher please do not smoke and drink while posting. Your comment seen to be way out of line of this article. But then again when you have so much hatred you lose it all.
I bet you the 3 MPs were not “consulted” about this decision. This is exactly why they had to go on serpent show to expose the inner working of Gisele’s party.
But i blame serpent. he got cold feet when it was time to sign the motion of NO CONFIDENCE against Pringle.
The ALP is a national embarrassment, but they know bird people are ignorant and backward. This corrupt government doesn’t want any scrutiny of their ineptitude and corruption.
please bring the EVIDENCE of “corruption” for which you speak. Latest news indicate the blood hungry UPPites suffered a blow when the subpoenas in the alfa nero “corruption” [according to UPP] were quashed by a US Judge!
Meanwhile JOHN ASHE done expose UPP TRUE COLOURS! CORRUPTION, GREED, KICKBACKS, etc etc
@ Less We Forget, idiatts like you call it hatred, but the highly intelligent simply call it discernment.
I don’t hate ignorant people, I pity them – just like you.
There are times when I have to deal simply with conceited COXCOMB fools, but I must admit I enjoy taking you down, you always make it easy 🤣
… Oh BTW, you COXCOMB, can you mention any one of the amazing truths about Gaston Browne that I have pointed out that you are in disagreement with?
Come, come @ Less We Forget. Let me send you back into a year long semi retirement again 😁