By Robert Andre Emmanuel
Harold Lovell, the former political leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP) took to the platform on Tuesday, seeking to ramp up voter support for George Wehner as the party aims to overcome a decades-long dominance of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) in the St Peter Constituency.
Speaking at the party’s event in Pares Village on Tuesday night, Lovell delivered what he called a “single and simple message” of “no retreat, no surrender” as he endorsed Wehner ahead of the January 14 by-election.
“The reason why I’m here to give my endorsement to brother Wehner is because I have seen George Wehner, I have heard George Wehner. He has stood in the midst where I have been; he has marched in the ranks where I have marched, and at no time have I ever seen this man flinch,” Lovell told the gathering.
The former political leader reminded constituents of their historic decision in the January 2023 general election when they voted against the ABLP-endorsed candidate for the first time.
“You voted against the Labour Party because you were tired of the disrespect, tired of the neglect, tired of the abuse, tired of the desertion,” he said.
Lovell criticised the ABLP candidate Rawdon Turner’s business dealings with the government and warned constituents against what he described as election-time tactics by the ruling party.
“They try to fool you. They use taxpayers’ dollars and try to bribe you, and they will ignore you once they have you,” he cautioned.
The UPP stalwart emphasized the need for strong representation in Parliament.
“You want someone who will be a warrior … You want a pitbull, you don’t want a poodle,” Lovell declared, characterizing Wehner as “a man of principle, a man of stern character, one who cannot be bought.”
The UPP’s General Secretary Shawn Nicholas also praised Wehner due to her long history alongside him in the arena of electoral politics.
