Press Release
The Progressive Youth extend our congratulations and full support to the newly elected and appoint representatives and senators respectively.
As the youth wing of the UPP, our members are pleased that half of our party’s candidates elected in the January 18 election were young, vibrant, and dynamic individuals-the Leader of the Opposition and representative for All Saints East and St Luke, the Hon. Jamale Pringle, representative for All Saints West, the Hon. Anthony Smith Jr. and representative for St. Mary’s South, the Hon. Kelvin Simon.
It is exciting that young leaders are rising through the ranks of our party, and we are especially proud of the Hon. Jamale Pringle who would have been intimately involved in the party’s youth arm before becoming a Member of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Political Leader and now the Political Leader of our great Party.
The story and progression of Mr. Pringle shows our great nation of Antigua and Barbuda what we, the Progressive Youth have experienced and know: the leaders of our Party mentor and advance its youth to become future leaders within the Party and the nation.
“The Progressive Youth looks forward to the robust advocacy on the issues facing the country’s youth that our youth Parliamentarians will bring,” said Jonathan Wehner, Chairperson of the Progressive Youth
The Progressive Youth are also fully in support of the Senators appointed to the Upper House of Parliament.
As our Party sits in opposition, having been remarkably close to winning control of the government, it has limited senatorial appointments compared to the government.
According to the Political Leader, the four appointed UP Senators will not serve the full five-year term. As the Hon. Jamale Pringle noted, senatorial appointments will be made through a rotational system, which had to be used due to the four seats constitutionally allocated to the opposition.
“We, the members of the Progressive Youth are behind our representatives and distance ourselves from any suggestion or inclination that states or suggests anything to the contrary,” said Guishonne Powell, Mobilization Officer of the Progressive Youth
It is also important to note that from the eleven Senators appointed by the current government, the majority are older individuals who cannot speak to the issues facing the youth today.
The Progressive Youth targets persons ages 15-35 from all 16 constituencies through Antigua. Our members are united by the common goal of youth empowerment in Antigua and Barbuda.
Today’s youths are the frontline fighters for progression. “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?“