Open Letter to the United Progressive Party

To Whom It May Concern,

As a long-standing member of the United Progressive Party (UPP), it pains me to write this letter. However, the current state of our party leaves me with no choice but to voice my concerns publicly.

This is not the UPP I once knew, and it is certainly not the party that Baldwin Spencer led with such distinction.

Unlike many of my fellow members, I was not overly disappointed with the results of the last election. In fact, I saw the close outcome as a clear warning to the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and a sign that the UPP was still a force to be reckoned with. Coming within six votes of forming a government should have galvanized us to work harder, ensuring victory in the next election.

However, while the ABLP under Gaston Browne has taken the electoral results as a mandate to improve and adapt, the UPP has spiraled into disarray.

The ABLP has made strategic adjustments, positioning itself once again as the party of the people. Meanwhile, we remain bogged down in internal conflicts and public disagreements.

Our situation has deteriorated rapidly, turning a narrow one-seat difference into an 11 to 4 gap. We cannot rely on Asot Michael, a staunch supporter of his party despite his personal conflicts with Gaston Browne. His loyalty to the ABLP remains unshaken.

Similarly, Richard Lewis’s rumored discussions about becoming an ambassador and resigning from the UPP have only added to the uncertainty.

Instead of focusing on party unity and strategy, he seems more interested in personal ambitions, evidenced by his  public statements and actions.

I recall being present when the phrase “Leadership Matters” was first coined. At the time, it represented our commitment to strong, principled leadership and brought us electoral success.

Sadly, under Jamale Pringle’s leadership, the party has lost its way. The momentum we once had is gone, and if an election were called today, I doubt even Pringle could secure his seat.

The UPP has become a shadow of its former self—intellectually stagnant, morally adrift, and devoid of innovative ideas.

Our current strategy seems to consist solely of protests and grandstanding, mistakenly believing that these tactics will lead us to power. The focus on obtaining diplomatic passports reflects a troubling shift in priorities.

I am deeply disappointed and ashamed of what the UPP has become. I have lost faith in the current leadership and the direction in which the party is heading.

My hope for a turnaround has dwindled to nothing, and it is clear to me that change is urgently needed. I am not alone in feeling this way; many have already left, and I suspect many more will follow.

It is with a heavy heart that I make this decision, but I can no longer remain part of a party that has lost its way.

Sincerely,

A Departing Member of the UPP