Dear Editor,
As a long-standing supporter of Harold Lovell, I say this with all due respect and loyalty: the United Progressive Party (UPP) cannot move forward by constantly looking backward.
Some voices within the party may be calling for Mr. Lovell to return to leadership, but the time has come to pass the baton.
The future of the UPP lies not in recycled leadership but in new, visionary, and principled individuals. That leader is Richard Lewis.
Richard Lewis has demonstrated time and again that he is capable, articulate, and deeply committed to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
He served with distinction in the Senate and has spent years investing in education and youth development. He is a man of integrity, intellect, and calm resolve.
In short, he is the kind of leader who can broaden the party’s appeal and chart a course to national victory.
Let’s be honest—Jamal Pringle is simply not ready for prime time. While he may have good intentions, leadership at the national level requires more than good intentions.
It demands readiness, capability, and credibility.
We cannot afford to present a face of leadership that leaves the electorate unsure or uninspired.
It’s also important to address the internal injustices that continue to plague our party. Just as Joan Messiah was unfairly sidelined, Richard Lewis was denied leadership through questionable practices at conventions.
These actions are not only undemocratic—they are corrosive. If we don’t address them now, they will follow us into government, tainting everything we stand for.
Richard Lewis represents a break from the cycle of internal division and outdated tactics.
He is the fresh start the UPP needs to win the confidence of the people. Harold Lovell’s time has come and gone—he has served with distinction, and his contribution is undeniable. But leadership is not a lifetime appointment.
It is time for a new generation to step up.
Jamal Pringle should resign as Leader of the Opposition and make way for Richard Lewis. Let Lovell support him from behind the scenes, offering his wisdom and experience as an elder statesman.
That is how we build a winning team—one that is rooted in principle, forward-thinking, and united.
The UPP cannot afford more division, deception, or delay. The time for Richard Lewis is now.