LETTER: Can the UPP recapture their by-election appeal, or has the momentum faded?

The political stage in Antigua and Barbuda is warming up for the second by-election in just 15 months. However this time, the atmosphere feels different—like the energy’s there, but the spark hasn’t quite caught fire. If the last by-election was a masterclass in political strategy, this one feels more like an open rehearsal, with the band still tuning their instruments.

In the previous by-election, the United Progressive Party (UPP) stormed in like a military parade—disciplined, sharp, and impossible to ignore. When MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon unexpectedly resigned his seat, skeptics assumed he had lost his political compass. Instead, Shugy was already three moves ahead, turning his resignation into a political strategy that left even Prime Minister Gaston Browne scrambling to respond.

Simon’s campaign was pure precision. His messaging cut through political noise like a cutlass in sugar cane, slicing clean and deep. Shugy didn’t just campaign—he orchestrated. His visibility was unmatched, his ground game relentless, and his ability to control the narrative made the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) play defense the entire time. Even when Browne swapped his candidate mid-race, pulling Shugy’s own campaign manager into the mix, it felt more like panic than strategy. The voters of St. Mary’s South weren’t impressed. They stayed with Simon and the UPP.

It’s no secret that Shugy’s fingerprints were all over that victory. From the resignation to the final vote count. His win wasn’t just about reclaiming a seat; it lit a fire within the UPP and raised eyebrows about Simon’s potential to rise within the party ranks.

Now, the spotlight shifts to George Wehner, unanimously endorsed by the St. Peter branch as the UPP’s candidate for the next by-election. There’s no questioning Wehner’s loyalty or alignment with the party’s values. But by-elections are more than ideological battles—they’re about energy, strategy, and timing.

Political leader Jamale Pringle has already pledged an aggressive campaign, urging constituents to revalidate their Voter ID cards and prepare for a fight. Yet, the looming question remains: Can Pringle generate the same excitement and mobilization that Shugy sparked?

Simon’s by-election set the standard for by-elections, proving that these rare political contests can be transformative and engaging. But if this next by-election campaign lacks the same punch, it will serve as a referendum—not just on Wehner’s chances but on Pringle’s ability to command the political stage.

For Pringle, this by-election isn’t just about winning a seat—it’s a test of his leadership. If he fails to deliver a strong, energized campaign, it could signal deeper troubles within the UPP ahead of the next general election. Can the UPP rally once more, or has the “Shugy effect” already peaked?

The stakes are high and all eyes are watching.

From,
Ringsider