United Progressive Party (UPP) MP and former deputy prime minister Willmoth Daniel
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – United Progressive Party (UPP) MP and former deputy prime minister Willmoth Daniel could well be censored by his party for his absence at Wednesday’s sitting of Parliament, where the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) was expected to move a no confidence motion against Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.
Leader of government business in the Lower House and UPP Chairman Harold Lovell yesterday disclosed plans of the party’s executive body to examine its constitution to determine whether any disciplinary action could be taken against the MP, who has long had a strained relationship with the party.
The ALP, on Wednesday, was set to move the no confidence motion against the prime minister in continuation of its efforts to destabilise the UPP administration.
The presence and support of all UPP MPs would have been critical in the event had it come down to a vote of the two parties, particularly since the UPP has a two-seat majority in Parliament; if one excludes the seat held by the UPP-aligned Barbuda Peoples Movement (BPM).
“We were obviously very, very disappointed, especially the parliamentarians,” Lovell told OBSERVER Media.
“We expected all members to be present at this very important motion … I believe the party will look at its constitution and the party would then consider whether or not any offence has been committed under our constitution. In those circumstances I expect the party would act but always in accordance with the constitution of the party.”
Lovell said the views he expressed reflect those of all the senior party members with which he spoke, though he did not identify them or reveal the number of members.
“I am reflecting the views of the senior members of the party and rank and fie members of the party I have spoken to,” Lovell said.
“I would say we are all very, very disappointed. I haven’t spoken to (Daniel) since his absence and I haven’t received any communication as to the reason of his absence but we will see whether there may be something that would be forthcoming.”
Efforts to reach Daniel for comments proved futile.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
The problem is you can’t want support when you do not support. Antiguan’s seems to have short memories. It appears as if they never called a meeting of all of the representatives of the party and discussed what strategy they were going to use. Shame on Lovell and the rest of the party for not knowing how to plan, now they are going to look at their constitution, total nonsense from these people.
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I don’t know what the UPP are waiting for there is precedents for this within the UPP party. Nat Moses was kicked out by the party branch when they were in opposition and he was the sitting MP for St.Georges. People say alot about George Walter but he had the guts to fire his brother.
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Bit of advice to the UPP – review the case with Donald Halstead and the ruling of the High Court! Nevertheless, the UPP needs to get rid of enemies within its camp. If the troops cannot be trusted, without reservation, they should be excised.
Remember back in 2004/2005 Roy Boyke issued a warning to the PM to be on guard against such deviant behaviour, because he has seen this script before, he knows how it plays out, and the sad ending. When you have gangrene its better to cut off the leg than let the whole body become infected and die as a result!
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