Pringle Appointed – By Kisean Joseph
Pringle Appointed Leader Opposition
Antigua and Barbuda’s parliamentary opposition was formally constituted on Monday, Jamale Pringle resuming his role as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and three senators receiving their instruments of appointment.
At a ceremony held at the newly-restored Government House in St. John’s, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams presided over the proceedings, which marked another significant constitutional moment in the country’s democratic life. Yesterday’s event followed the April 30th general elections in which the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won 15 of 16 seats on the mainland.
Pringle, who represents All Saints East and St. Luke for the United Progressive Party, serving as Leader of the Opposition from 2018, said he is returning to Parliament better equipped than before.
“When I started in 2018, I was literally a rookie, my first time ever being in the House of Parliament, more so to be Leader of the Opposition with such great responsibilities,” Pringle said. “I would have grown from strength to strength with the support of the people of Antigua and Barbuda, and I intend to continue to do more.”
Pringle pledged to lead a more aggressive and forceful opposition, telling reporters he intends to rebuild public confidence in the UPP under his leadership.
Three senators were also sworn in on Monday: Chester Hughes, Jonathan Wehner, and Ashworth Azille. A fourth, Malaka Parker, was unable to attend due to a family commitment and will receive her instrument of appointment at a later date.
In his remarks, the Governor General called on all senators to approach their responsibilities with maturity, wisdom, and integrity, describing the opposition as an essential constitutional component of Antigua and Barbuda’s parliamentary system.
Senator Chester Hughes, a veteran trade unionist and legal scholar making his return to Parliament, said the UPP bench arrives in the Senate ready to scrutinize government action on behalf of ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans.
“Our job right now is to make those who are comfortable very uncomfortable in the House, and those who are uncomfortable, bring some relief to them through the Senate,” Hughes said.
Senator Ashworth Azille, a former president of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers and a trained educator with over two decades of service, described his appointment as a profound honour and said he intended to pursue it with vigour.
“It is an indication of the tremendous confidence that my political leader and our political party had in me,” Azille said. “I take note of the seriousness of the task of the opposition in the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, and this is an appointment I hope to pursue with great vigour.”
Parliament is scheduled to meet on May 18th, with the Senate convening on May 20th. The swearing-in of Trevor Walker as Member of Parliament for Barbuda, as well as Parker’s senatorial appointment, are expected to be scheduled separately.
