Antigua and Barbuda must never Apologise for Progress!
By Dave A. B. Ray
November 1 2026 | CHOGM
There comes a time when partisan politics must give way to national responsibility. Unfortunately, the rhetoric emerging from the opposition’s town hall meeting last evening raises an important question about the political climate we are cultivating in Antigua and Barbuda.
Let us establish one fundamental point: CHOGM belongs to Antigua and Barbuda, not to any political party!
The 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is taking place on our shores from November 1–4, 2026. It is an international commitment and a significant opportunity for our country to engage with the leadership of 56 Commonwealth nations. It is an occasion to showcase our people, our culture, our hospitality, our institutions and our capacity to participate meaningfully on the international stage.
And let us not rewrite history. Antigua and Barbuda was selected to host CHOGM before the April 30 general election. Had the United Progressive Party won that election, CHOGM would still have been required to take place. The responsibility to deliver this international undertaking would have fallen to whichever administration assumed office.
So why attempt to frame this national occasion as some elaborate exercise in political cosmetics?
The opposition’s reported description of the event as putting lipstick on a pig may make for a colourful political soundbite, but it does very little to advance a serious national conversation. If there are legitimate concerns about neglected infrastructure, public services, governance or national development, then let those concerns be articulated with evidence, specifics and constructive alternatives.
That is what accountability looks like.
But accountability and political obstructionism are not the same thing.
One can oppose a government without opposing the advancement of one’s country. One can scrutinise public expenditure without wishing failure upon a national undertaking. And one can disagree with an administration without becoming antagonistic towards every initiative undertaken during its tenure.
What concerns me is the danger of cultivating a political culture in which progress is viewed through the narrow lens of who gets the political credit. It is a troubling proposition if national achievements are diminished, dismissed or treated with cynicism simply because the party in office happens to be one’s political opponent.
A general election settles who forms the government. It does not give the winning administration exclusive ownership of the country, nor does it relieve the opposition of its responsibility to contribute to national development.
The ABLP administration was returned to office on April 30. That democratic outcome should be respected. Equally, the opposition has every right to question, challenge and scrutinise the government. That is democracy. But democracy should never become an excuse for fostering an atmosphere in which national progress is met with reflexive pessimism.
And let us be clear: Antigua and Barbuda has challenges. No serious person should pretend otherwise. CHOGM will not magically resolve every social, economic or infrastructural concern confronting our people. Nor should the occasion be used to deflect legitimate scrutiny of the government’s record.
However, neither should our challenges become a convenient reason to diminish an opportunity of international significance.
We must be mature enough to hold two thoughts simultaneously: we can demand better from our government, and we can still want our country to succeed on the world stage.
I would much rather see a national discussion about how our small island can maximise the diplomatic,commercial, tourism and investment opportunities associated with hosting Commonwealth leaders than a conversation seemingly preoccupied with finding ways to ridicule the occasion.
The real question should be: What can Antigua and Barbuda gain? How can our entrepreneurs benefit? What opportunities can be created for our young people? How can we strengthen our international relationships? And how do we ensure that the benefits extend beyond the four days of the conference?
Those are questions worthy of a national town hall.
Political parties will come and go. Administrations will change. Elections will be contested and won. But Antigua and Barbuda will remain our home, and its reputation and development should matter to every one of us.
Our country must never become collateral damage in the pursuit of political relevance.
Criticise the government where criticism is warranted. Demand accountability where accountability is due. But do not confuse political opposition with opposition to national progress.
CHOGM is not about giving any political party a victory lap. It is about Antigua and Barbuda taking its place on an international platform.
And when the world comes knocking at our door, the response should not be dictated by the colour of our political affiliation.
You do not have to support the government to support Antigua and Barbuda. But you should never have tochoose between your political affiliation and your country’s progress.
It should be dictated by our pride, our ambition and our collective responsibility to our country.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MUST BE BIGGER THAN PARTY POLITICS.