UPP MPs Sought to Replace Pringle With Lewis as Opposition Leader, Letter Shows
A letter circulating during the 2026 election campaign appears to show that opposition MPs moved to replace United Progressive Party (UPP) political leader Jamale Pringle as Leader of the Opposition in favour of Richard Lewis.
The document, addressed to Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, states that the “undersigned Opposition Members of Parliament” supported Lewis, the MP for St John’s Rural West, to assume the role.
It claims Lewis “commands majority support in the Lower House of Parliament within the grouping of UPP-aligned parliamentarians,” and asks for his immediate appointment as Opposition Leader.
The letter cites Section 79(5) of the Constitution, noting that the Governor General may remove a Leader of the Opposition if it appears they no longer command majority support among members who oppose the government.
“We therefore request… that you implement this change of Leader of the Opposition with immediate effect,” the letter states.
It further asserts that the signatories represented “the majority within the largest Opposition bloc in the Lower House,” identified as six MPs aligned with the UPP.
The document appears to be linked to former St Mary’s South MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, whose name and constituency details are shown on the correspondence.
The development points to internal divisions within the UPP over leadership, an issue that has surfaced periodically in recent years amid debates about the party’s direction and electoral strength. (Antigua News Room)
Under Antigua and Barbuda’s Constitution, the Governor General appoints the Leader of the Opposition based on who is most likely to command the support of the majority of non-government MPs. (Wikipedia)
Pringle has held the position since 2018.
The timing of the letter — now emerging during an active election campaign — is likely to intensify scrutiny of unity within the opposition as voters head to the polls.
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Only Pringle aint see that he needs to be replaced.
FAKE NEWS… now this is the truth: 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.
So what turns on that. Nobody can even contemplate challenging Gaston because they are all cowards and are afraid of him. They were basically handpicked by him and given knee pads to wear daily, oh! and the judases will eat humble pie to keep thei places
When was this letter written? This is a know fact and nothing new. This article is misleading.
Oh Lord they digging their grave deeper….OK UPP newt election come way way better please cause y’all are gonna loose this one for sure…..Too much confusion will reflect the chaotic and ununited type of government they will become so they must get their act together and try again….
They do NOT want Giselle’s “LITTLE BLACK BOY” to “rule” over them. That’s exactly why SERPENT QUIT!!!!
It doesn’t surprise me one bit that the WINKKUP PASTOR is the one leading the charge against the Hon. Jamale Pringle. Shugy is a real SNAKE, worse than Algernon. He and Derede trying hard to ATTACK AND UNDERMINE Pringle, but good thing Gisele in his corner.
And there is 9 upp proxies planted within the Alp as candidates waiting to change Gaston as leader at the right moment, they will become ambassador at large and other positions for taking down Gaston as they promised.
Richard Lewis directly sly and evil. He is a sore loser who can’t accept the fact that Pringle bang he at CONVENTION!!!! Me tired warn Pringle nah fu trust Richard. He a wan fake smaddy and very selfish 😏 If he want leadership, tell he dat he must win at convention, not by going underhanded wid sly, wicked tactics by using the above letter. Richard Lewis get the other MPs including the gunman fu sign wan letter claiming that dem support he. Next thing da same letter got “leaked” to de media. Dat a nar nun accident. A plan he plan um.
All now they still actively trying to badplay Jamal. Don’t be fooled by the appearance on Miss Knight show – just a gimmick. By the way who is their Campaign Manager that give them that horrible advice to go on the vagabun show? They already get cuss out by the host and now like dogs them return to them vomit 🤢
There is no signature on the letter. This means nothing. I wouldn’t be surprised if the paper is still warm from the printer it came out of.
FAKE NEWS: This letter has been in circulation for over two years.
The ABLP propaganda machine in operation.
Didn’t Gaston challenge Lester?
Cutie, Malwyn, Robin all opposed Gaston in ALP.
ALP split as the younger Birds ran from ALP to form True Labour.
Gaston took all of UPP rejects and elevated them above the ABLP stalwarts.
Gaston is feeling the heat.
Look the UNITED TEAM have labour showing up with all kind a letter lately. Is is too much bcuz they saying UPP not ready so they would tale the election again. Why do this if U know U are going to win. This like children running scared after being caught for not doing the right thing when they should have.
Labour! Labour!! Labour!!!
Desperation within the labour party’s camp is at its highest.
A drowning man will clutch at a straw.
So to will a dying ALP manufacture any and every conceivable lie to remain relevant.
Gaston boasts that he was giving the opposition time to get its house in order before announcing the elections date.
His ego was high.
He was sure that the UPP was comatose.
He boasts of winning seventeen to Nil.
Today, reality is setting in.
He is now wishing he could walk back his steps.
It is too late, Bwoy.
So how does he try to get that advantage he thought he had and needs now?
Resort to manufacturing stories.
Look at what he is producing as a letter.
A first former at Princess Margaret Secondary School would come up with something more substantial than that.
That same student would see all the faults with this letter.
However the ALP propaganda machine is too naive to see through it.
Where is the letter coming from?
There is no address on it.
An ALP manufacturer.
What date was it written?
My guess os on the 32nd of Neverary.
Who signed it?
None and Nobody.
It was addressed to the Governor General.
There is a certain level of protocol and administration that takes place whenever official correspondences are received.
Where is the Governor General’s office official stamp showing that it was received?
The fake letter never passed close to the roundabout in the vicinity if the Governor General’s office.
The ALP fears Kelvin “Shuggy” Simon.
They have tested his allegiance to the UPP.
It is solid.
They are now seeking any and every way possible to make the public distrust him.
What best way to do it than to manufacture lies.
How is it that the ALP could not find any other name on that letter yet they claim it was signed by majority of the oposition parliamentarians?
Is Shuggy Simon alone a majority of the Opposution parliamentarians?
That would have been so in the case of Go Green Party.
Anything signed by Owen George is signed by majority and in fact by ALL members of the party.
In the days of NMC anything signed by Alister Thomas was signed by half ot the party and anything signed by Jason “Kublai” Mannix was signed by half of the party.
This is not the case with the UPP.
However the ALP cannot provide any name other than that of Shuggy to support their lie.
The public is seeing through their desperation.
The days of Gaston are numbered.
The UPP has him cornered.
The UPP is marching onwards to victory at the polls on April 30th.
While he can manufacture letters claiming who supports who, he is blind to the happenings in his party.
He had to resort to threats to keep his position as party leader.
Chet knows that to well.
Anyone who dares to raise their head would have it chopped off.
Who would want his or her head chopped off when he or she has mortgage and other financial obligations?
It is bevause of the uncertainty surrounding his leadership that Gaston has sanitized at least five new members to be on his slate.
He doesn’t trust laboRATs who have toiled in the hot sun.
The ALP is now a UPP reject, trouble making, bottom of the barrel, corrupt and sanitized party.
VICTORY FOR THE UPP!!!!!!
Comrade and the ALP acolytes that run this portal is working overtime to to ensure the cabal remains in office with their fake news and speculation. Careful you all don’t end up like caribarena.
Antigua news room are you an extention news outlet and mouth piece of the the ABLP. You guys publish without fack checking.
Joke!!!
ALL these comments. But the fact remains, the letter was divisive because others wanted power, and whether new or old, it was penned to the Governor General. We ALL know that it’s real. There’s no getting away from that. But what’s with these hypocritical comments? Both sides of the aisle have pulled out ALL the stops. Some want een, and some want to remain een. It is political strategy. Aren’t they playing to win. Is it that UPP is so lily white and they have NEVER done anything? Is ABLP ALL bad, or you just want your party to come to power? So tell me which one of you who commented would not use the ammunition you have to bore holes in your opponents? To each them own on both sides of the aisle. Come what may, we ALL have to live with our choices. 30th April, 2026.
The Chairman already fired warning shots to the Shugy gang:
https://antiguanewsroom.com/d-gisele-isaac-we-are-not-stepping-down/
@Giselle say NO JAMAICANS…..your comments using this phrase is beyond idiotic now. Just ask yourself why then did Gaston appoint a SMUT MOUTH Jamaican dancehall artist who preaches violence, abuse of women etc to be a Cultural Ambassador of Antigua & Barbuda.
Gaston is your Jim Jones, so wait pan dat fu bun out U tummock lakka poison.
Richard Lewis is NOT a team player!