Member for All Saints West resigned from his party in quite a surprising fashion on Monday afternoon, leaving his supporters in suspense for several hours. Anthony Smith, a favourite among voters in the 2023 general elections, tendered his resignation from the United Progressive Party (UPP) with immediate effect, citing a “misalignment of values that cannot be reconciled.”

Smith, who just Sunday was seen supporting UPP’s Alex Browne’s ‘Small Biz Pull Up’ has opted to serve as an independent Member of Parliament. According to Section 41 (e) of the Antigua and Barbuda Constitution, he can keep his seat as long as he remains an independent member of the House.

Smith, a first-time runner, is the second independent member after MP Asot Michael. Michael was forced to run solo after leader of the labour party and prime minister Gaston Browne publicly cut ties with him.  According to Smith, serving as an independent member would put him in a better position to advocate for policies and initiatives that align with the needs of his constituency.

But how independently Smith will operate is questionable as he is expected to be sworn in as the Minister of Agriculture this morning, a portfolio previously held by labour party MP E.P Chet Greene.

His declaration of independence also leaves questions about who will run on a labour party ticket in All Saints West, particularly as both labour party members Lamin Newton and Regis Burton had been awaiting a final decision about their candidacy as caretakers after a primary in March failed to produce a clear winner.

Labour party members Regis Burton, Arry Simon and Lamin Newton on primary night in February 2024

In a letter to Shawn Nicholas UPP’s General Secretary, Smith explains that over the past few months he had found himself at odds with the direction and decisions of the UPP which he says conflicts with his core values and principles.

Smith’s resignation letter further details his conflicts with the party, including dealing with “insults and lies” over his bid for chairmanship and support for UPP MP Richard Lewis as the party leader. The St John’s Rural West MP lost to incumbent leader Jamale Pringle on May 19th during the party’s Biennial Convention. Pringle received 237 votes compared to 173 for Richard Lewis.

Lewis was initially supported by St Philips South MP Sherfield Bowen, St Georges MP Algernon Watts, All Saints West MP Anthony Smith Jr, and St Mary’s South MP Kelvin Simon. But shortly after Bowen withdrew his endorsement of Lewis. To the surprise of many, he now serves as Deputy Party Leader of the UPP while Lewis was offered a second deputy position within the party.