UPP Leader Jamal Pringle and Kelvin Shugy Simon
PRESS STATEMENT
Statement from Jamal Pringle, MP and Leader of the United Progressive Party
The United Progressive Party is fully aware of the ongoing attempts by certain media outlets, including Antigua News Room, to manufacture division within our ranks and distract the public from the real failures of this Government.
This type of gossip-driven reporting does not advance national development. It does not address rising living costs, economic insecurity, failing public services, or declining public trust.
Instead, it seeks to turn every difference of opinion into a crisis and every healthy internal discussion into so-called “division.”
Our members are not fooled by these political magic tricks.
The UPP is a mature, democratic, and forward-looking party. We encourage debate, ideas, and innovation. That is not weakness—it is strength in a modern political movement.
I wish to place on record my full confidence in and support for Hon. Kelvin “Shuggy” Simon.
Shuggy is an emerging leader within this party. He has carried out every assignment given to him with energy, dedication, discipline, and deep respect for our organisation and our people. He has served with commitment and integrity, and I am proud to serve alongside him.
He has helped sharpen my own leadership, challenged me constructively, and strengthened our collective vision. Despite any public misperception that may be promoted for political convenience, I know—without doubt—that he has this party and this country at heart.
That is why he has my full support as we continue to build, strengthen, and modernise the UPP.
Unlike the leadership style we see under the current Prime Minister, where ministers are routinely humiliated, undermined, and discarded when politically convenient, my leadership is grounded in respect, teamwork, and shared responsibility.
The world has changed. Leadership today requires collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence—not fear, intimidation, and public shaming.
Our party reflects those values. We will not be distracted by attempts to pit brother-against-brother or sister against sister. We remain united in purpose: to offer the people of Antigua and Barbuda honest, competent, and compassionate leadership.
Our focus remains on holding this Government accountable, restoring confidence in public institutions, rebuilding the economy, protecting the vulnerable, and delivering real opportunities for our youth.
We are preparing to form the next government. We are preparing to end the era of arrogance, division, and self-interest under Gaston
Browne.
And no amount of manufactured controversy will derail that mission.
The UPP is united.
The UPP is focused.
The UPP is ready.
Chups moving right along
Demonic spirit of division and confusion, the enemies are pronouncing on the political party. I pray that the party be united in one accord and may the Spirit of God be the beginning, the centre and the end of the political party and its members. God loves unity, not division.
Pringle too much confusion in your party
Confusion is the work of the devil not of God!
Wha nonsense dis yah?!?!? The UPP might as well just lock dung shop and call it a day, or even George. Me never hear woss!
People quick to bash Pringle but forgetting the type of pressure opposition faces in this country. Not everybody can lead under intimidation and still stand.
Antiguans are a joke. Yall take politics like its not the laws that will govern all at the end of the day. The small minded conversations in antigua is beneath any forward moving island and development. The fact that people can disagree and still remain respectable is not understood in the ablp party because for one NOT ONE CAN RAISE THEIR HEAD OR OPEN THEIR MOUTH. I would be more ashamed of the dictatorshipish behaviour than I am about having disagreements. Antiguans in antigua love people to fight their fight for them while they stand by and check temperature.
Antigua news stop deleting people’s comments. I said the UPP is responsible for dismantling itself
They fight internally and they are against their leader. Pringle you know that to be true. Kevin is in disagreement with you to your face and especially behind your back. Bowen is the only one who supports you and Harold your father. So let’s be frank. The UPP can be so powerful if you little boys unite and stop crying over whose toy it is. Work together else the ABLP will always win. And Pringle please dont stand with Shugy when he couldn’t care less if you are on your two feet
Respectfully, if the party united, they wouldn’t have to keep saying it. Unity don’t need press releases.
Everybody seeing “division” but nobody talking about the cost of living killing people every day. Whether you like Pringle or not, at least somebody addressing leadership style and unity. The country bigger than red and blue.
Once is politics everybody on the band wagon.
Every time election near, is “media creating division.” Same old song. Focus on policy, not feelings.
Every time election near, is “media creating division.” Really??? You puttng the cart before the horse.
UPP politicians and die-hard supporters fighting openly.
A primary with only 13 people voted, UPP’s MP’s signing off on a letter against their leader Pringle, while de ChairMAN, de battiMAN at Knight, De criminal and the Guyanese who used to sell lizard and agouti fu Antiguans nyam ah cut one another throat, Lovell saying no convention since there is no unity. Croif cussing ebrebaddy, Richard laughing quite contentedly. Explain how the media dividing anybody! Isn’t that just outright division and confusion? Then your ra** expect media not to say anything? Don’t be a kookahole
Calling it ‘political magic tricks’ might fire up supporters, but it doesn’t really answer the questions many people still have. We’re tired of smoke and mirrors
Pringle sound defensive. When you confident, you don’t need to explain this much.
Antigua News Room catching stray bullets here 😂 but let’s be real, media house job is to report what happening. If the shoe tight, wear it.