admin 
Parliamentarian in Antigua and Barbuda, Anthony Smith. (CMC file photo)
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – An opposition member of parliament, Anthony Smith, has resigned from the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), saying that he will now function as an “independent” parliamentarian.
In a letter addressed to Shawn Nicholas, the UPP General Secretary, Smith, the parliamentary representative for the All Saints West constituency, said his resignation is due to “a misalignment of values that cannot be reconciled”.
He said over recent months, he has found himself “increasingly at odds with the direction and decisions” of the UPP, adding “my core values and principles, which include transparency, integrity and a steadfast commitment to the public good, have conflicted with actions, directions and policies endorsed by the party leadership.
“Despite my best efforts to address these concerns internally, I have come to the realization that my continued membership of the party compromises my abilities to serve my constituency and uphold my ethical standards,” he wrote in his July 15, 2024 letter.
Smith, who was one of six UPP candidates that were victorious at the January 18, 2023 general election, said he will no longer “fall under the Party Whip and will instead serve as an Independent Member of the House of Representatives.
“This transition will allow me to act in accordance with my conscience and make decisions that I believe are in the best interest of the people I represent,” he said, adding that he believes that by serving as an independent legislator he would be better positioned to advocate on behalf of his constituents.
Further, Smith said that he has had to deal with ‘insult and lies” after he openly supported another person instead of Jamale Pringle for the leadership of the party.
Smith said he has also faced threats of expulsion and he has been subjected to ‘appalling’ treatment from within the UPP.
The UPP has not oublicly responded to Smith’s resignation.
