United Progressive Party (Barbados)

The United Progressive Party is a political party in Barbados.[1] The party was announced in February, 2017 to coincide with the May 2018 general election cycle.[2] The lead chairperson is the Attorney-at-Law and former Senator and Minister with the Barbados Labour Party, Ms. Lynette Eastmond.[3][4]

United Progressive Party
AbbreviationUPP
ChairpersonLynette Eastmond
Founded2017
Merged intoCitizens Action Partnership
IdeologySocial democracy
Progressivism
Political positionCentre-left
ColorsOrange
SloganUPP 'De Ting!
House of Assembly
0 / 30
Senate
0 / 21
Election symbol
People
Website
www.uppbarbados.org
Politics of Barbados
Constitution
  • Human rights
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
Historical

History

The United Progressive Party was formed in 2017 and Lynette Eastmond was chosen to lead the new party after much media speculation[5] concerning the political ambitions of Eastmond herself. Early in the party's history another former BLP member who turned independent parliamentary member, Dr. Maria Agard, crossed the floor to join the UPP.[6][7] Agard subsequently dropped out of the party just prior to the election deciding to no longer contest the current election.[8][9]

In November, 2017 the party announced a manifesto outlining its party agenda for Barbados. This was announced under the banner of "The New Economy Manifesto"[10] and the "Orange Economy" in line with the party's chosen colour of orange.

After discussions with another new Barbados party called the Citizens Action Partnership, led by Wendell Callender both parties agreed to merge the CAP into the UPP in December 2017.

On 27 December 2021, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley dissolved parliament and called elections for 19 January 2022. The next week, on the 31 December 2021, leader of the People's Party for Democracy and Development (PdP) Bishop Joseph Atherley and Eastmond announced an electoral alliance between their two parties to contest the 2022 general elections as the Alliance Party for Progress. It is headed by Atherley with Eastmond becoming deputy head.[11]

Party officers

During the August Congress of the UPP the following were elected as officers for the UPP:

  • Chairman – Lynette Eastmond
  • First Deputy Chairman – Everton Holligan
  • Second Deputy Chairman – Maria Phillips
  • Secretary – Peter Bridgeman
  • First Assistant Secretary – Edison Bynoe
  • Second Assistant Secretary – Sandra G. Corbin
  • Treasurer – Ambrose Grosvenor
  • First Assistant Treasurer – Bruce Hennis
  • Second Assistant Treasurer – Hudson Griffith
  • Public Relations Officer – Wayne T. Griffith

Electoral results & performance

For the Barbados House of Assembly's 2018 general election,[12] the UPP won 1.3 per cent of the vote losing the one seat of Christ Church West, held by new UPP's member, Dr. Agard back to the Barbados Labour Party.[13][14] The BLP had a historic landslide election securing 74.58 per cent of the 150,141 total votes.[15] and winning all 30 of the seats in the House of Assembly. The party announced it would be contest in future Barbados elections.

Election Party Leader Votes  % Seats +/– Position Government
2018 Lynette Eastmond 1,913 1.2
0 / 30
 Decrease 1 Decrease 4th Extra-parliamentary

For 2022 Barbadian general election, the UPP formed an electoral alliance with the People's Party for Democracy and Development (PdP) and formed the Alliance Party for Progress and ran under that banner.[16]

Election Electoral Alliance Leader Votes Seats Position Government
No. Share No. +/–
2022 APP Joseph Atherley 3,205 2.81%
0 / 30
 New 3rd Extra-parliamentary

2018 candidates

The UPP had 23 candidates out of 30 in the 2018 general election. These were:

Social outreach

The UPP uses several forms of Internet mediums to reach out to new and existing supporters. This includes: Google+, Facebook, and Twitter feeds.

See also

References
  1. Staff writer (2018-05-25). "United Progressive Party (UPP)". caribbeanelections.com. KnowledgeWalk Institute. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  2. L., T. (2017-02-10). "UPP PARTY LAUNCHED". News. Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc. The Barbados Advocate. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  3. L., T. (2017-02-15). "UPP PLANS TO FOCUS ON NEW INDUSTRIES". News. Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc. The Barbados Advocate. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  4. Evanson, Heather-Lynn (2017-02-09). "Eastmond reveals new party". Nation Publishing Co. Ltd. Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  5. Evanson, Heather-Lynn (2017-02-09). "Eastmond reveals new party". Nation Publishing Co. Ltd. Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  6. Staff Writer (January 13, 2018). "UPP wants Maria". Barbados Today. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  7. Cummins, Kimberley; Sealy, John (15 February 2018). "Agard moves UPP". Barbados Daily Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  8. Staff Writer (3 May 2018). "Agard no longer contesting". Barbados Daily Nation Newspaper. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  9. Staff Writer (3 May 2018). "Agard promises to be back". Barbados Daily Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  10. 2018 Party manifesto (PDF)
  11. "New APP in town! PdP and UPP merge | Loop Barbados". Loop News. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  12. Staff writer (2018-05-25). "Barbados General Election Results - 24 May 2018". caribbeanelections.com. KnowledgeWalk Institute. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  13. Mounsey, Colville (2018-07-23). "New alliance?". The Barbados Today. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  14. Labs, Luova (2018-02-14). "UPP de ting!". The Barbados Today. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  15. Mounsey, Colville (2018-08-23). "UPP-STAGING DEMS". Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  16. "New APP in town! PdP and UPP merge | Loop Barbados". Loop News. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
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