Harold Lovell, former political leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), has responded to widespread calls for him to come out of retirement and contest the All Saints West constituency in the upcoming election.
Lovell, who resides in All Saints West, acknowledged the overwhelming support he has received from constituents, both locally and abroad, urging him to throw his hat back into the ring.
In a recent interview on Observer Lovell expressed deep appreciation for the confidence the community has shown in him.“I’ve had phone calls from the constituency, from other places in Antigua, and from the diaspora,” Lovell said, noting that the outpouring of support had been “overwhelming.”
He added, “I felt as though I had a duty to at least give this thing some very serious thought.”
Despite the strong encouragement, Lovell revealed that after careful consideration, he has decided not to run in the All Saints West constituency.
He emphasized that his role now is to support the UPP’s selected candidate for the area. “My role is really to support whomever the party selects for that constituency, to give my full support, and to continue to play my role—not as someone who’s on the field of play actively, but as a coach, mentor, and cheerleader.”Lovell reaffirmed his commitment to the UPP and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, stating that while he is stepping back from active participation as a candidate, he remains fully engaged in a supportive capacity. “I’m not walking away,” he said, “but I believe my time right now would be better served as someone who is supporting rather than being actually out there.”
