There comes a time when partisan politics must give way to national responsibility. Unfortunately, the rhetoric emerging from the opposition’s town hall meeting last evening raises an important question about the political climate we are cultivating in Antigua and Barbuda.

Let us establish one fundamental point:

CHOGM belongs to Antigua and Barbuda, not to any political party!

The 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is taking place on our shores from November 1–4, 2026. It is an international commitment and a significant opportunity for our country to engage with the leadership of 56 Commonwealth nations. It is an occasion to showcase our people, our culture, our hospitality, our institutions and our capacity to participate meaningfully on the international stage.

And let us not rewrite history. Antigua and Barbuda was selected to host CHOGM before the April 30 general election. Had the United Progressive Party won that election, CHOGM would still have been required to take place. The responsibility to deliver this international undertaking would have fallen to whichever administration assumed office.

So why attempt to frame this national occasion as some elaborate exercise in political cosmetics?

The opposition’s reported description of the event as putting lipstick on a pig may make for a colourful political soundbite, but it does very little to advance a serious national conversation. If there are legitimate concerns about neglected infrastructure, public services, governance or national development, then let those concerns be articulated with evidence, specifics and constructive alternatives.

That is what accountability looks like.

But accountability and political obstructionism are not the same thing.

One can oppose a government without opposing the advancement of one’s country. One can scrutinise public expenditure without wishing failure upon a national undertaking. And one can disagree with an administration without becoming antagonistic towards every initiative undertaken during its tenure.

What concerns me is the danger of cultivating a political culture in which progress is viewed through the narrow lens of who gets the political credit. It is a troubling proposition if national achievements are diminished, dismissed or treated with cynicism simply because the party in office happens to be one’s political opponent.

A general election settles who forms the government. It does not give the winning administration exclusive ownership of the country, nor does it relieve the opposition of its responsibility to contribute to national development.

The ABLP administration was returned to office on April 30. That democratic outcome should be respected. Equally, the opposition has every right to question, challenge and scrutinise the government. That is democracy. But democracy should never become an excuse for fostering an atmosphere in which national progress is met with reflexive pessimism.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: COMMENTARY: CHOGM is Bigger than Politics: Antigua and Barbuda must Never Apologize for Progress!.