Pringle left in the dark about Lewis’s endorsement

Leader of the United Progressive Party Jamal Pringle says he had not received any communication from his fellow MPs or the party’s election candidates about their backing of Richard Lewis to lead the party

On Sunday, a letter signed by MP’s and other candidates who contested the last general elections signed a letter, all endorsing Lewis.

Pringle clarified that he had no prior discussions with the group members before the distribution of these letters.

Pringle emphasized that all campaigning for the position of Political Leader was supposed to remain internal as directed by the Convention Planning Committee and endorsed by the Party’s Central Executive.

Despite this, Pringle’s main concern now is for the health of the Party and the confidence of its Members and Supporters.

He said, as he demonstrated in 2009 and again in 2014, the good of the United Progressive Party comes ahead of his personal feelings and ambitions and that he will continue to do so.

Meanwhile Pringle expressed his commitment to defending the UPP and its supporters against the tactics of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party

The Hon. Jamale Pringle,

Member of Parliament for All Saints East & St. Luke

Swetes Village

St. Paul, Antigua

[email protected]

__________________________________________________________________________

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2024

Contact: 725-0000

Hon. Jamale Pringle responds to Media Queries

Subsequent to calls from several media in relation to an online report in which MP Richard Lewis was endorsed by nine members of the United Progressive Party’s recent election slate, I wish to put on record the following:

I had no advice to that effect from the group, nor any individual within the group, regarding their decision; and the publication of these letters came as a surprise to me, as it did to most Party Members and supporters.

I had no prior discussion with the members of the group prior to the writing of these letters or their publication.

My understanding was that all campaigning for the position of Political Leader was to remain internal – within the Party – as directed by the Convention Planning Committee and endorsed by the Party’s Central Executive on which all Parliamentarians sit.

My singular concern is the health of the Party and the attendant confidence of its Members and Supporters in my actions.

As I demonstrated in 2009 and again in 2014, the good of the United Progressive Party comes ahead of my personal feelings and ambitions and will continue to do so.

I will also continue – as I began in 2018 – to defend the Party, and the People who have put their trust in the UPP, against the ploys of the Antigua Labour Party, and I encourage our loyal supporters to do the same.

Long live the United Progressive Party!

-ENDS-