The recent article penned by a UPP member reeks of desperation, distortion, and a blatant refusal to accept responsibility for their party’s internal collapse. Blaming Prime Minister Gaston Browne for the disarray within the United Progressive Party (UPP) is not just disingenuous but also a clear attempt to distract from the real issue—the UPP’s failure to present itself as a viable alternative to lead Antigua and Barbuda.
Let’s be clear: the UPP is not “under attack” by the Prime Minister. The cracks in their party are self-inflicted, caused by weak leadership, poor internal organization, and the mass exodus of its members. When the majority of your team jumps ship, it’s not because of Gaston Browne—it’s because they’ve lost faith in your ability to lead. A party that can not hold itself together cannot hope to hold together a nation.
The Prime Minister’s call for opposition leader Jamale Pringle to equip himself and become more qualified is not “playing politics.” It is a necessary and honest critique. Leadership at the national level requires preparation, competence, and vision—qualities that are glaringly absent in the UPP’s current structure. If calling for higher standards of leadership is seen as an attack, perhaps it’s because the UPP knows it can not meet those standards.
Instead of addressing their shortcomings, the UPP’s response is to deflect and blame. Where is their plan to address the water crisis? Where are their actionable solutions for the cost of living? Where is their vision for a better Antigua and Barbuda? Criticizing the government is easy; providing real alternatives is the challenge they continue to fail.
The article accuses the Prime Minister of focusing on propaganda while conveniently ignoring the fact that UPP’s entire narrative has been built on attacking Gaston Browne rather than presenting concrete solutions. When last has the UPP discussed policies or programs to improve the lives of Antiguans and Barbudans? Their focus remains on tearing down, not building up.
It’s also ironic to hear the UPP accuse the Prime Minister of divisive rhetoric when their own members have been openly at odds with each other. Richard Lewis and Jamale Pringle’s leadership tensions are well-documented, and these issues existed long before Gaston Browne pointed them out. Blaming the Prime Minister for internal UPP conflicts is not just hypocritical—it’s laughable.
Let’s talk about accountability. Prime Minister Browne has been transparent in addressing national issues, from water management to economic development, even amidst global challenges. His administration has delivered results in areas like tourism recovery, foreign direct investment, and infrastructure development. The UPP, meanwhile, remains a party of criticism without contribution—a hollow echo chamber of complaints.
Antigua and Barbuda deserve a strong opposition that can challenge the government with ideas and solutions, not one that throws tantrums and shifts blame. The UPP’s inability to step up as a credible alternative is the real failure here—not Gaston Browne’s leadership.
If the UPP truly wants to contribute to national progress, they should focus on rebuilding their party, uniting their fractured leadership, and presenting policies that resonate with the people. Until then, they remain a party at the brink of irrelevance, grasping at straws to stay afloat.
Antiguans and Barbudans deserve a government and opposition that work for them. Gaston Browne’s leadership may not be perfect, but at least he is leading. The UPP, on the other hand, continues to flounder in self-inflicted chaos. The real question is not why the Prime Minister critiques the UPP—it’s why the UPP refuses to rise to the challenge.
