UPP Postpones Planned Protest March, Opts for Panel Discussion on Throne Speech
The United Progressive Party (UPP) has postponed its protest march originally scheduled for Thursday, November 20, shifting its focus instead to a panel discussion on the upcoming Throne Speech to be delivered by the Governor-General that same morning.
A statement issued Tuesday evening indicated that the Party had already secured permission for the march, which was intended to amplify its call for an independent investigation into the Ministry of Works scandal popularly referred to as Vehicle-gate. UPP officials say they chose to redirect their efforts toward a broader public conversation on national governance.
Instead of taking to the streets, the UPP is encouraging citizens to join its Thursday night panel discussion across the Party’s media platforms. The forum will delve into the Government’s sector-by-sector plans for 2025 and examine its proposals for 2026.
The Party described the shift as part of its ongoing commitment to public education, emphasizing concerns about accountability and transparency under the current administration. The UPP says the discussion aims to scrutinize the Browne Administration’s performance and spending practices, which it argues have been kept away from taxpayers.
Further details on the broadcast time and platform for the panel discussion are expected to be released by Thursday morning.
This is a smart pivot by the UPP. A panel discussion allows for deeper understanding of the Throne Speech and helps citizens stay informed about what government plans to do in 2025 and 2026.
Both protest and dialogue are valid tools in a democracy. It will be interesting to see whether the panel discussion gets more engagement than a march would have.
Its better that way
I don’t think that any of this will make a difference
A panel discussion allows citizens to really engage with the issues rather than just protest. Could be a smarter approach.
It’s interesting that the UPP is calling off marches but still pushing political narratives. Meanwhile, the government continues its work to deliver for the people.