UPP’s Mega Public Rally in All Saints West Falls Short of Expectations*
In a disappointing turn of events for the United Progressive Party (UPP), what was promoted as a Mega Public Rally in the All Saints West constituency failed to attract a significant turnout, sparking concerns among party members and supporters alike.
The rally, intended to rally support against the independent member of parliament, Hon. Anthony Smith, saw a drastic decline in attendance compared to previous events. Historically, UPP rallies have been a hallmark of the party, often drawing thousands of supporters and independent voters. However, this latest attempt to energize the base resulted in a mere fraction of expected attendees. Observers noted fewer than 65 vehicles and an estimated attendance of less than 100 individuals, a stark contrast to the robust turnouts seen in previous years.
The disappointing turnout raises eyebrows, particularly considering the UPP’s ability to mobilize supporters leading up to the last general election, where they were unable to secure a victory against the government, which regained power on January 18, 2023. The stark reality of dwindling support is compounded by recent high-profile departures from the party, as well as visible discord among supporters and executive members.
For many, including constituents who supported the UPP in the last election, this rally represents a critical wake-up call for the party. Concerns have been voiced about the party’s leadership and direction, with some former supporters expressing gratitude that the UPP did not come to power, fearing the potential for further national decline under what they described as “hateful leadership.”
As the UPP reflects on this failed rally, the path forward remains uncertain. With public sentiment shifting and internal issues coming to the forefront, the party faces an uphill battle to regain the trust and support of constituents in All Saints West and beyond.
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Whose expectations yours or theirs?
@Zackie… Obviously, it was the UPP’s expectation. Why would they term it a “mega rally” if it wasn’t their expectation of a large turnout? The fact is that the rally flopped.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
This country is so twisted as I find this article to be. Probably a Labourite trying to derail any UPP attempt at unification.
It scares the hell out of the carion after their deception to redirect focus away from the real issues in this failed state is waning.
As a patriot, I refuse to be distracted. This government has collected more money than any ruling administration in the history of Antigua and Barbuda. Why are we so far behind? We need to know what happened to the billions that have gone abegging.
It didn’t fall short. POOR TURNOUT WAS ACTUALLY EXPECTED!!!! Too much bitterness, division, hatred, malice, envy, badmind and DICATATORSHIP inside the party!
The Chairman REFUSE TO STEP DOWN!
The Leader REFUSE TO STEP DOWN!
Gisele Isaac is the death of UPP
@watching@ – Why would you think it’s an ABLP person trying to derail UPP. Maybe it’s a UPP person who realizes the the hopelessness of the actions of the party that has been trending.
Just call a spade a spade. When things don’t go the way expected, it’s ALWAYS easier to blame others.
Introspection is needed and fast. Just changing the bandage is not enough. Strong medicine is needed to make it better.
It is what it is, and many fail to see because of the hatred for the other party.
Check yourself, before you wreck yourself!.
“…former supporters expressing gratitude that the UPP did not come to power, fearing the potential for further national decline under what they described as “hateful leadership.”
WELL SAID!
UPP as usual do not understand how to be strategic. They are al noise. I am pained when I remember the years I wasted supporting them and unfotunately can’t get back. Anyway the lesson learnt was don’t support anything that is all froth.
Editor, hope you can publish the letter from Page 15 of yesterday’s observer
Daily Observer Letter to the Editor 10/10/2024
“Time for a change: A call for the Chairperson of the United Progressive Party (UPP) to step down”
The letter drops the morning before the Party’s political meeting in All Saints West. Guess SERPENT WANTS TO GET RID OF GISELE, BUT HE TOO AFRAID TO DO IT DIRECTLY, SO HE USING OBSERVER AND MISS KNIGHT TO CUSS SHE OUT!
This poor UPP turnout will also be reflected in the next general election if the UPP does not change leadership. They will not win one single seat. Gisele Isaac and Pringle need to wake up and smell the coffee. If not, they will get the beating of their life at the next general election that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The electorate will not vote for a dysfunctional political party with a dysfunctional leadership because that leadership will carry that dysfunction into running the country if they were to ever win an election. Nobody wants that.
As a paid up and voting member of UPP , I attended the meeting last evening . The turnout was very very poor. Lacking energy, Our Family has now concluded that unless Ms .GISEL Isaac ( Family member) and Hon. Jamale Pringle removed Themselves, UPP is finished. There is no way UPP will win the next election. I spoke to a few persons in attendance who shared the same sentiments.
Let’s up country before our EGOS.
Gisel is an excellent chairwoman of the party, Mr Pringle will be the next prime minister as an underdog. She nah move , so he nah move ‘ y’all get message? Gisel will also be the future governor general : she nah move with full support of the woman forum group.
excellent chairwoman indeed! She remains UNMOVABLE, UNSHAKEABLE, so richard better get he poke going. he has no future in Gisel’s upp or Pringle’s upp.
Well highlighted my fellow UPP supporters, the ABLP supporters look for every and anything to try and discredit us, but as UPP banners currently proclaim:
“Stronger Than Ever” ✊🏾
UPP, UPP, UPP! 🟨🟦🟨🟦 HIP, HIP…
Btw, at Suzy Q, you are no REAL supporter. Gu way!
… when you talk like that, you are just strengthening Gaston ‘Failing’ Browne’s hands …
STAND FIRM NAH!!!
Lol lol lolol lol lol lol look lol lol. The CHAOS DEMON Giselle Issac as Governor General. A she and all she Women Forum women will be in government house with her. No hanky panky in government house please.
This is the problem with every party that Antigua has. Members do not know when to pass the mantle on and it’s always to the detriment of the party. It’s time to pass the torch guys.
pass what “torch”???? the WICKED SUNSHINE GOVERNMENT ALREADY BURN UP ANTIGUA PEOPLE BAXIDE!!!! u think we want them to “torch”us now?
in the words of the VISIONARY GASTON A. BROWNE:
DEM FLAP, DEM FLAP, DEM FLAP DEM FLAP
DEM UPP BOYS DEM NAH READY YET!! #DEMFLAP!
I listened to Pringle this morning on Jacqui’s show on Observer and according to him it was a success. I really do not understand who is right here. Perhaps the perspective from Pringle is very different then you guys.
@Brixtonian October 11, 2024 At 11:49 am
You remind of the Iraqui information minister when the Americans were bombing Bagdad. He said the Americans are dying in the street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ung95ORVUY
So Brix we need find a new name for you. Comical Brix suits you I think.
After reading all the comments, justaposing it with the article, I can see that no lessons are being learned by the power players, and by extension, their cheerleaders. Time is the best teacher. We will see how this all plays out. “Who won’t hear, will feel.”.
@Brixtonian: I’m disappointed by your shallow responses recently, attempting to defend the obvious. You can do better than this.
Yes @ Less We Forget [You], just like you ignoring the lack of transparency from Gaston Browne.
Here’s 30 (yes thirty!!!) reminders:
1- The missing $1 million hurricane Irma relief funds for the Barbudan’s
2- The African airline collaboration and fiasco with Nigeria 🇳🇬
3- What was the CIP/CBI funds used for to benefit Antiguan?
4- NAMCO, another Browne mystery of unaccountability
5- YIDA, another account of a lack of transparency
6- Allowing our mangroves to be destroyed by corporate building contractors, hoteliers and lobbyist whenever they want to without any due diligence or comeback
7- Allowing a few of our beaches to be turned into private usage by the uber rich at will
8- unable to stem the flow of rising crime in the country
9- Lack of resources, equipment and uniforms for our police men and women
10- For our medical practitioners I refer you to number 9
11- Refusing to respond to a Parliamentary Freedom of Information Act request from the Most Honourable Richard Lewis
12- Whatever happened to illegal Africans that arrived here? Where are they?
13- The ever rising cost of living crisis that sees so many people suffering hardship
14- Our women are afraid to venture out alone for the most part around the country
15- The self-enrichment of family and friends in such a short space of time
16- Cronyism in high places is rife throughout Antigua
17- Nepotism is stifling the growth of much better qualified personnel
18- The $30 million acquired in JUST two short terms in office. How???
19- The blatant Barbudan land grabbing by family, friends and associates
20- Turning Barbuda into a rich man’s playground for the foreseeable future
21- Our lack of a decent water supply system is an utter disgrace to one and all concerned
22- Our road infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired, and is now one of the worse in the region
23- In 2024, Antigua still experiencing power cuts on a weekly to fortnightly basis
24- The promises of housing has turned out to be utterly futile gesture by the ABLP, unless you voted for them
25- There are still workers in Antigua owed their outstanding salary and overtime
26- Pensioner’s aren’t sure whether or not they’ll receive their pensions on time – if at all!
27- The meandering of our democratic process by the tumultuous goings-on in All Saints West
28- Trying to destabilise the main political opposition by poaching their members with financial inducements
29- ABLP – and Independent – members not coming forward to the underhanded shenanigans of Gaston Browne, because they are “Hostages to Fortune”, and allowing him to get away from ALL public scrutiny
30- and finally, the broken manifesto promises made to the electorate
ALL THE ABOVE PUT TOGETHER AT NO TIME AT ALL – AND I BET YOU I’VE MISSED OUT A LOT MORE!
TEK DAT @ LESS WE FORGET …
Brixtonian bringing to the SURFACE what the ABLP acolytes, Gastonites and sycophants want to keep HIDING …