By Robert Andre Emmanuel
Community advocate Jermaine Edwards has withdrawn her name from contesting the United Progressive Party (UPP) primary for St John’s Rural South, delivering a scathing critique of the party’s internal dysfunction.
“A party that takes over ten months to process membership applications is not ready for prime time,” Edwards wrote in her withdrawal letter, lambasting the party’s organizational inefficiencies.
“In an era of advanced technology and instant communication, the UPP remains mired in poor communication, petty jealousy, power struggles for no power, disorganization, and a lack of strategic vision,” she added.
During an interview with Observer media, she elaborated on those frustrations: “It takes you two months to get acknowledgement for a letter within the party itself. The party does not hold itself accountable to respond in a timely fashion and to dealing with individuals as if they’re human beings.”
Edwards maintained that the UPP urgently needs transformative leadership, stating, “At this critical moment, the party needs leadership that is nimble, visionary, and deeply attuned to the needs of the people. The party must embrace bold changes to bridge generational and socioeconomic divides and foster trust within its ranks and across Antigua and Barbuda.”
“Without this transformation,” she warned, “it risks losing its relevance and the confidence of the people.”
Despite her withdrawal, Edwards said she will remain committed to her community work.
“I love St John’s Rural South, and I will continue to be a community advocate. Leadership does not come only from the political front. It is shown through the work and support that you can offer individuals,” she emphasized.
In a letter to her constituency, Edwards further explained her decision, writing, “This decision was not made lightly. It stems from my growing concerns about the lack of proper organization and transparency in the primary process. I firmly believe that any political process must uphold the highest standards of fairness and inclusivity to ensure confidence among both candidates and constituents.”
Her action leaves Emmanuel Peters as the sole remaining candidate in the primary scheduled for yesterday.
Edwards’s withdrawal from the primary followed the withdrawal of the former caretaker for the constituency, Gladys Potter, who also described a branch “going down a path that takes it away from integrity, unity, and principles.”
The United Progressive Party has been under increasing pressure following a number of resignations and departures from party leadership within the last few weeks.
Party Chairman Gisele Isaac told Observer media that she was unaware of the resignation at the time, commenting on the decision that “there seems to be a template for these things”.
Isaac confirmed that Peters would likely go forward as the St John’s Rural South caretaker unless Political Leader Jamale Pringle used his veto to choose another person.
A source who spoke to our newsroom on condition of anonymity said that Edwards was a part of an interview session last Monday and was part of a meeting a week prior to the primary.
The source said that Edwards’s complaint about the length of time it takes the party to review membership applications was to ensure their eligibility and ensure all checks and balances were completed.
Observer media understands that UPP Deputy Chairman Jason Mannix, Deputy Political Leader Sherfield Bowen and Party Treasurer Leon George were expected to be the ones handling the process for the primary.
