Massiah drops her bid to become leader of the UPP

All Saints East and St. Luke, MP Joanne Massiah, has withdrawn from the leadership race of the United Progressive Party (UPP).

In an unexpected move Massiah told a press conference today, “Undemocratic practices have unseeingly taken root within several branches resulting in some chairpersons callously flouting the party’s constitution and trampling on the rights of branch members.”

The lone female in the political leader battle, Massiah was facing two other opponents, former finance minister Harold Lovell and previous caretaker for St Paul Eleston Adams.

However she charged that her team has observed partialities leading up to the party’s biennial convention scheduled for May 17, 2015.

“…. My team and I repeatedly witnessed biases, which under normal circumstances, would be advanced in secret. We have witnessed unprofessional, undemocratic, openly rude and disrespectful behaviour to persons who comprise Team Massiah.” she said.

She was particularly critical of individuals working along with her strongest contender.

“Persons who formed part of Brother Harold Lovell’s team, who are running for executive offices at the convention are managing the preparatory process and have access to critical information in which Team Massiah is being denied.” Massiah added.

“We publicly stated and always maintained that once the playing field is level, and provided that the managers of the convention process we committed to good governance principles in the conduct of the elections process, that we would emerge victorious. Regrettably, as the weeks narrowed…it became more apparent as a consequence of the leadership race within the UPP, the party philosophy…upholding democratic practices, transparency, integrity, and accountability has been hijacked. Specifically, we have witnessed an unlevelled playing field being actively ploughed which appeared to be designed to give Bro Harold Lovell and his team an unfair advantage in what we expected to be a democratic electoral process” she added.

Lovell slams back, calls claims preposterous

Speaking to Observer Media Lovell called the claims preposterous.

“The writing is on the wall and what upsets me are persons are trying to make the party look bad in order to make themselves look good. …I am very disappointed that these type of charges are being leveled they have absolutely no basis.” Lovell said.

He added that he is not in support of anyone that would make statements that could damage the party.

“You can see where the party is trending. The party is tending with me. The team that I put forward is very talented. I have been fortunate to put together people that can do a lot of good for the party and the country.” Lovell said.

The new UPP

The power struggle within the UPP, comes after Dr. Baldwin Spencer, sated his intention to relinquish the leadership of the 21-year-old political organization.

Spencer has already stated publicly that he is hoping that the race for leadership will be conducted in a manner that will not cause injury to the party.

Massiah’s campaign for the top job included a promise of a rebranded UPP that would appeal to younger voters and bring about a revitalization to the party base.

If she had been successful Massiah would have been the first woman to lead a major political party in Antigua and Barbuda.

Now with Massiah off the slate the way seems clear for UPP favourite Harold Lovell to take the leadership reins.