LOVELL: DNA IS A SIDESHOW

The main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) said it is not daunted by the “sideshow” that is the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), a new political party which pundits say could cripple the UPP’s chances of winning the next general election.
The UPP Political Leader Harold Lovell has instead declared that his party’s fight is with the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and not the DNA.
“We really are not going to become embroiled in any sideshow with DNA … we live in a two-party system, and so the second party must die or at least one of the major parties must die in order for a third party to live; third parties don’t do anything. So, our focus is on the Antigua Labour Party government,” he said.
This is the first time Lovell has spoken to this newsroom about the DNA since its launch on April 18.
Lovell added that he believes the DNA does not expect to win the next general election, constitutionally due in 2019. He surmised that its strategy is to try to join the ruling ABLP in attacking and attempting to weaken the UPP so the DNA will have its day in 2024.
“Our strategy in response to that is to stay focused on the ABLP and deal with the DNA at the doorstep with our base, not in the public media but brutally deal with them on a one-on-one basis when we meet our people and in communities,” he told OBSERVER media.
 “But we will not give them any room to gain relevance. Our focus and our fight is the Antigua Labour Party government,” he further said.
Political pundits have suggested that the formation of the new party could spell trouble for the UPP mainly because it is being led by a sitting UPP MP, and many of its founding members had occupied key roles in the UPP over the years.
On Sunday, political analyst Don Anderson noted that while the DNA may not succeed in an election, just yet, the ABLP could simply sit back and watch it destroy or undermine the UPP.
 
(More in today’s Daily Observer)