By Tahna Weston
An invitation has been extended to the most recent member who resigned from the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), to join the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) after news broke early yesterday that the party’s public relations officer, Damani Tabor, had resigned.
Observer reached out to Tabor who confirmed the online news report, but did not wish to comment any further on his decision.
This will likely be a hard blow to the opposition party as Tabor has held numerous positions within its structure and has been an ardent advocate for the organisation appearing regularly on various radio programmes, promoting the party’s agenda.
In his resignation letter dated September 23 and addressed to Shawn Nicholas, the UPP’s General Secretary, Tabor said his decision was not taken without considering several factors.
“I write to inform you that I’m tendering my resignation from the United Progressive Party with immediate effect.
“I have come to this decision, unencumbered by the sunk cost fallacy, after weighing a multiplicity of factors and developments which critically impact the cohesion, performance and political viability of the Party,” Tabor wrote.
Tabor’s resignation from the party has caused him to remove himself as the administrator of the Party’s affiliated news entity realnewsantigua.com website domain.
“Regarding intellectual property which I will no longer be administering, please note my recently sent email to facilitate your establishment of the Real News website on a new server. I have included links to the exported directories and SQL database,” he said.
Tabor continued, “I have also included the transfer authorisation code for realnewsantigua.com. Transferring the domain must be completed before the next yearly expiration date of March 2, 2025.”
The former PRO thanked the UPP for affording him the opportunity to have served in several capacities within the branch, executive and the Upper House.
He was a member of the 2023 Campaign Management Committee and the St Mary’s South By-Election Strategy Team. Tabor was a senator from 2014 to 2022.
The former PRO, while pulling away from the UPP said that “maintaining a healthy democracy is critical to nation-building” as he expresses hope that a viable opposition continues to be a part of the country’s political landscape.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who posted Tabor’s letter on his Facebook page, said the UPP has lost one of its best talents, as he invited him to join the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).
The UPP has been hit by an eruption of resignations over the past two months beginning with now independent MP Anthony Smith. Last week, a strong party advocate, Winston Henry, while not resigning, announced he was stepping away from the UPP for some introspection. This was followed by the resignation of former chairman Kevin Arif Jones last week which was preceded by party stalwart Dr Edmond Mansoor over two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the UPP’s Political Leader Hon Jamale Pringle later confirmed Tabor’s resignation and issued the following statement yesterday afternoon:
“The United Progressive Party has always put people first; and my journey – from humble beginnings to becoming both Political Leader and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament – embodies the opportunities the Party can provide.
“While I may not possess the unlimited wealth or higher education of some of my resigned colleagues, my record as a political representative speaks for itself: I enjoy high approval, golden representation, unquestionable integrity, and the love of my constituents who elected me to serve.
“This “Little Black Boy” (as they refer to me among themselves) remains steadfast in my commitment to the people of Antigua and Barbuda, many of whom came from beginnings like mine. Therefore, I have no intention of stepping down.
“I remain dedicated to leading the UPP and serving our Party and Nation with integrity and determination, demonstrating to our young people that, whatever their dreams may be, with application, they can be achieved.”
