I wish to address, directly and transparently, the reports that have circulated in recent days suggesting that I intend to step down as Political Leader of the United Progressive Party. I say to every UPP member, every supporter, and every citizen of Antigua and Barbuda who has asked: I am not resigning.
These reports originate from a source – managed by the Prime Minister – whose intent is not to inform the public but to destabilize this party and distract from the work before us.
“I remain your Political Leader. I remain committed to holding the Gaston Browne Administration Government accountable. And I remain committed to building this Party into an organization worthy of leading this Nation.”
Brother Harold Lovell also stands committed to this cause; to the constituency of All Saints West; and to Antigua and Barbuda, and, together, our team invites and encourages all right-thinking persons to stand with us, today and in the imminent General Election, to rescue our country.
On a related matter, let me be precise about St. Philip’s North, because the narrative being constructed around that by-election is dishonest. We entered that contest to demonstrate support for our candidate, Brother Alex Browne, and to signal our commitment to those who have expressed the desire for change. That is not failure; that is the methodical work of a party serious about growth.
The UPP has never held that constituency in 50 years. So, to use the result of the by-election as a crowbar to dislodge elected Party leadership is not merely disingenuous. It is an insult to the intelligence of the public and a fundamental misreading of what that contest was designed to achieve. It disrespects not only the efforts of every Political Leader since 1993, but every member who believes this Party must be governed by principle.
To those within our ranks who have concerns — about our direction, our strategy, our pace of renewal — my door remains open. Genuine disagreement, openly expressed, is healthy in any democratic organization. I welcome that conversation.
To the people of Antigua and Barbuda: You deserve a credible, united, and focused Opposition. Building that is exactly what we intend to do. The Antigua Labour Party has earned no blank cheque, and the citizens of this country deserve much more than they are now receiving.
Therefore, the work of this party continues. And I continue with it.
