In what can only be described as a disheartening move for progressive minded supporters of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Harold Lovell’s re-entry into active politics is both baffling and deeply disappointing.
After a staggering 10 losses out of 12 attempts at political office, one would think the message from the electorate has been resoundingly clear: Antigua and Barbuda is ready to move on.
Lovell’s political career is littered with underwhelming performances, electoral defeats, and lackluster leadership. His most recent run left him visibly worn, age has not been kind, and the physical and mental toll of repeated political failure shows not only in his demeanor but in his increasingly out-of-touch messaging.
What is even more troubling is the apparent strategy (if you can call it that): to recycle the same failed leadership, in the hopes that different geography might yield different results.
Let’s be frank—Lovell was a failure as Minister of Finance. His tenure was marked by economic stagnation, poor fiscal management, and policies that did little to lift the nation or inspire investor confidence. Under his watch, the country floundered, and the aftershocks of those years still haunt the UPP’s credibility on economic issues.
For a party struggling to shake off its image of irrelevance, doubling down on the very face of that decline is political malpractice. Worse still, this is not the first time Lovell has bowed out, he has resigned three times. Each time, it was with great declarations of reflection, of making way for new leadership. Yet here we are again, watching a familiar face take up space instead of nurturing a new generation of leadership that could actually challenge the well loved Anthony Smith and the ALP.
His new political move running in Sea View Farm and All Saints West is nothing short of desperate. After decades of failure in Fort Road and City East, what makes him think he can suddenly connect with an entirely new constituency from scratch? The residents of these areas deserve a leader who understands their needs, has built trust, and has fresh ideas, not a political veteran chasing relevance through relocation.
To make matters worse, Lovell’s leadership has always been overshadowed by the overbearing presence of party chairman Gisele Isaac, who was often seen pulling the strings behind the scenes. This dynamic didn’t inspire confidence before, and it won’t inspire now.
This move is not just a personal misstep, it’s a symptom of a deeper dysfunction within the UPP. Rather than grooming young, dynamic leaders who can re-energize the base and speak to the future, the party seems trapped in a cycle of nostalgia and fear. It is actively stifling internal growth, sending a clear message to ambitious newcomers: “Wait your turn… or don’t bother.”
Supporters of the UPP deserve better. Antigua and Barbuda deserves better. Harold Lovell’s comeback is not a symbol of resilience, it is a stubborn refusal to accept reality. The political landscape is evolving, and clinging to the past will only ensure more electoral heartbreak.
The time has come for a full reckoning within the UPP. Recycling old candidates will not bring new results. If we are serious about defeating the ALP and offering a genuine alternative to the people, then we must invest in bold, young, visionary leaders, not retreat into the shadow of failed ones.
This is not just a criticism of one man, it is a wake-up call to an entire political party: Get it right, or get out of the way.