April 30th – 2026 General Elections in Antigua-Barbuda,
Gaston Browne led ABLP to a 15-2 land slide over Jemale Pringle’s UPP and Trevor Walker’s BPM – Throwback to 2014 and 2018
UPP could be out of Government for at least 10-15 years
Arvel Grant is a Public Health and International Development Specialist, with keen interests in political strategy and Current Affairs.
He published more than one thousand short pieces and contributed to hundreds of news and current affairs programs on: The BBC, Voice of America, Aljazeera and media systems across the Caribbean.
[email protected]
……………………..
The Right Honourable Gaston Browne continues to enjoy an unbroken string of political victories – 4 “on the trot”.
These results give him, the opportunity to continue shaping the party” in his own political “likeness”.
In that regard, it is noted that no more than 3 of the 15 current ABLP members of the house, entered electoral politics during the leadership of the “Bird Dynesty”.
At least 12 of the 15 current ABLP Members of the House, owe their legislative existence, to the political leadership of Browne.
Ejection of Opposition Leader (designate) Hon Mr Pringle from a joint sitting of Parliament, on occasion of the Throne Speech:
A blight on democracy; Genuine misunderstanding or a careless “own goal” ?
What should be a crowning formalization of unmitigated political achievement, took a strange (if not bizarre) turn to the ugly.
At the start of the new parliament, we witnessed an unfortunate series of events, leading to ejection of the Opposition Leader (designate) and the walk-out of Opposition Parliamentarians.
If the Hon. Pringle received a letter inviting him to attend and take the oath, some could feel that he was hard done by the process.
The apparent unwillingness of Madam President to allow the Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, to read the letter which might have been sent to Hon. Mr Pringle, raised possibly, uncomfortable questions of transparency.
So, what should have been a political “footnote” became a significant talking point, amidst the Government’s main parliamentary event, Marking the start of its 4th consecutive term in office.
The attendant Opposition walk-out, in support of Hon Mr. Pringle, becoming an unnecessary “split-screen” competing with the importance of the Throne Speech delivered by his Excellency.
In the circumstances, Madam President of the Senate, and the Right Hon. Prime Minister must guard the significance, of Labour’s political achievements, with elegant state craft.
In doing so, they must exhibit the finest combinations of: Strategic humility; wise parliamentary leadership and astute executive power.
Therefore, the possibly, unwise ejection of the Opposition Leader (designate) from a joint sitting of Parliament, on the occasion of the Throne Speech, is the kind of ill-timed, unforced legislative and executive own goal, unbecoming of a political party, capable of winning 4 consecutive general elections on the trot.
After 4 successive General Elections defeats, I guess the question for the United Progressive Party is “What next”.
When the UPP came close to winning the 2022 general elections, some argued that the party benefitted from a kind of “COVID shove” as well as the temporary re-alignment of the ZDK broadcast system.
Normally a party which comes so close to winning the national poles, would maintain the momentum into the subsequent general elections, especially when the poles are called 2 years ahead of time.
Not so for the UPP. In 2026, the party returned to its 2018 performance, almost “crashing” out of the house,.
For what it is worth, the UPP may take the following into consideration:
1.. Resist any temptation toward a name change.
The ABLP appears unshakeable (in part) because Labour claims an almost 90-year brand. That gives the party actual and perceived, deep institutional memory.
2.. Appoint an interim Opposition Cabinet from among the party’s MPs and those candidates who lost and remain willing to serve.
The opposition Cabinet should meet as frequently as His Majesty’s Cabinet of Ministers.
It should operate like His Majesty’s “loyal Opposition”, Functioning like a capable government in waiting.
3.. Convene an internal review of the party’s campaign and other challenges and place the future of the current leadership
at the mercy of those members who take the time to attend conventions and meetings of the General Council.
Allow the members to (ventilate and follow their lawful lead.
4.. Introduce a multi-level membership structure, requiring different levels of membership fees.
Members should pay their dues at least annually. That should help give the party a gradual build-up of reserves to help fund its political and related activities.
5.. Relinquish control of the party’s internal electoral process and hand voter registration and preparation of voters list to a committee of respected: senior attorneys, auditors and former electoral officials.
Let them use the party’s constitution and guide a thorough clean-up of the UPP’s internal electoral processes.
6.. That done, hold an open and transparent convention, in which people running for positions have absolutely nothing to do with the electoral machinery.
When it comes to its internal elections results, the UPP must Shake the image of an organization prone to chronic division and infighting.
7.. When the leadership is affirmed or replaced, formalize the list of constituency Care takers.
8.. Constituency Care Takers in place, shuffle the opposition Cabinet based on the priorities of the new political leader.
Members of the Opposition Cabinet should keep the party in front of the nation and “hold” the Government’s feet to the fire.
Note well, if there is an active and aggressive Shadow Cabinet, Current and future Prime Ministers, will think long and hard about calling early elections.
9.. Finally, some in the UPP spend far too much time castigating immigrants and the poorer segments of society.
No political party can win general elections by castigating and otherwise insulting large segments of the electorate, their friends or families.
10.. Often, the worst insults are hurled after failed public meetings or electoral losses.
It is not the fault of the electorate when people do not turn out for opposition protests, or when parties’ loose elections.
Rather, it is a failure of mobilization by the party and its members.
Walk good and “all shoulders to the wheel” Antigua and Barbuda could be passing through some very rough economic waters, driven by grave uncertainties about the cost of oil and related products and services.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
COMMENTARY: UPP could be out of Government for at least 10-15 years
LATEST NEWS
COMMENTARY: UPP could be out of Government for at least 10-15 years
April 30th – 2026 General Elections in Antigua-Barbuda,
Gaston Browne led ABLP to a 15-2 land slide over Jemale Pringle’s UPP and Trevor Walker’s BPM – Throwback to 2014 and 2018
UPP could be out of Government for at least 10-15 years
Arvel Grant is a Public Health and International Development Specialist, with keen interests in political strategy and Current Affairs.
He published more than one thousand short pieces and contributed to hundreds of news and current affairs programs on: The BBC, Voice of America, Aljazeera and media systems across the Caribbean.
[email protected]
……………………..
The Right Honourable Gaston Browne continues to enjoy an unbroken string of political victories – 4 “on the trot”.
These results give him, the opportunity to continue shaping the party” in his own political “likeness”.
In that regard, it is noted that no more than 3 of the 15 current ABLP members of the house, entered electoral politics during the leadership of the “Bird Dynesty”.
At least 12 of the 15 current ABLP Members of the House, owe their legislative existence, to the political leadership of Browne.
Ejection of Opposition Leader (designate) Hon Mr Pringle from a joint sitting of Parliament, on occasion of the Throne Speech:
A blight on democracy; Genuine misunderstanding or a careless “own goal” ?
What should be a crowning formalization of unmitigated political achievement, took a strange (if not bizarre) turn to the ugly.
At the start of the new parliament, we witnessed an unfortunate series of events, leading to ejection of the Opposition Leader (designate) and the walk-out of Opposition Parliamentarians.
If the Hon. Pringle received a letter inviting him to attend and take the oath, some could feel that he was hard done by the process.
The apparent unwillingness of Madam President to allow the Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, to read the letter which might have been sent to Hon. Mr Pringle, raised possibly, uncomfortable questions of transparency.
So, what should have been a political “footnote” became a significant talking point, amidst the Government’s main parliamentary event, Marking the start of its 4th consecutive term in office.
The attendant Opposition walk-out, in support of Hon Mr. Pringle, becoming an unnecessary “split-screen” competing with the importance of the Throne Speech delivered by his Excellency.
In the circumstances, Madam President of the Senate, and the Right Hon. Prime Minister must guard the significance, of Labour’s political achievements, with elegant state craft.
In doing so, they must exhibit the finest combinations of: Strategic humility; wise parliamentary leadership and astute executive power.
Therefore, the possibly, unwise ejection of the Opposition Leader (designate) from a joint sitting of Parliament, on the occasion of the Throne Speech, is the kind of ill-timed, unforced legislative and executive own goal, unbecoming of a political party, capable of winning 4 consecutive general elections on the trot.
After 4 successive General Elections defeats, I guess the question for the United Progressive Party is “What next”.
When the UPP came close to winning the 2022 general elections, some argued that the party benefitted from a kind of “COVID shove” as well as the temporary re-alignment of the ZDK broadcast system.
Normally a party which comes so close to winning the national poles, would maintain the momentum into the subsequent general elections, especially when the poles are called 2 years ahead of time.
Not so for the UPP. In 2026, the party returned to its 2018 performance, almost “crashing” out of the house,.
For what it is worth, the UPP may take the following into consideration:
1.. Resist any temptation toward a name change.
The ABLP appears unshakeable (in part) because Labour claims an almost 90-year brand. That gives the party actual and perceived, deep institutional memory.
2.. Appoint an interim Opposition Cabinet from among the party’s MPs and those candidates who lost and remain willing to serve.
The opposition Cabinet should meet as frequently as His Majesty’s Cabinet of Ministers.
It should operate like His Majesty’s “loyal Opposition”, Functioning like a capable government in waiting.
3.. Convene an internal review of the party’s campaign and other challenges and place the future of the current leadership
at the mercy of those members who take the time to attend conventions and meetings of the General Council.
Allow the members to (ventilate and follow their lawful lead.
4.. Introduce a multi-level membership structure, requiring different levels of membership fees.
Members should pay their dues at least annually. That should help give the party a gradual build-up of reserves to help fund its political and related activities.
5.. Relinquish control of the party’s internal electoral process and hand voter registration and preparation of voters list to a committee of respected: senior attorneys, auditors and former electoral officials.
Let them use the party’s constitution and guide a thorough clean-up of the UPP’s internal electoral processes.
6.. That done, hold an open and transparent convention, in which people running for positions have absolutely nothing to do with the electoral machinery.
When it comes to its internal elections results, the UPP must Shake the image of an organization prone to chronic division and infighting.
7.. When the leadership is affirmed or replaced, formalize the list of constituency Care takers.
8.. Constituency Care Takers in place, shuffle the opposition Cabinet based on the priorities of the new political leader.
Members of the Opposition Cabinet should keep the party in front of the nation and “hold” the Government’s feet to the fire.
Note well, if there is an active and aggressive Shadow Cabinet, Current and future Prime Ministers, will think long and hard about calling early elections.
9.. Finally, some in the UPP spend far too much time castigating immigrants and the poorer segments of society.
No political party can win general elections by castigating and otherwise insulting large segments of the electorate, their friends or families.
10.. Often, the worst insults are hurled after failed public meetings or electoral losses.
It is not the fault of the electorate when people do not turn out for opposition protests, or when parties’ loose elections.
Rather, it is a failure of mobilization by the party and its members.
Walk good and “all shoulders to the wheel” Antigua and Barbuda could be passing through some very rough economic waters, driven by grave uncertainties about the cost of oil and related products and services.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
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