Dear Editor,

I listened to the recent comments by Eli Fuller, and while I respect his right to share his views, I think his argument about the snap election being “unfair” because the United Progressive Party is weak misses the mark entirely.

That is simply not how politics works.

Elections are not scheduled to suit the readiness of any one party. They are a constitutional process. If a party is unprepared, that is not an injustice — that is a failure of that party to organize itself. You cannot pause democracy because one side is struggling.

The idea that it is somehow wrong to call an election when the opposition is weak also raises a bigger question: when exactly would be a “fair” time? Politics is competitive by nature. Every government, anywhere in the world, will choose timing that works in its favor. That is not unique to Antigua and Barbuda — that is politics.

More importantly, voters are not as helpless as Mr. Fuller suggests. We are not waiting on a “strong opposition” to tell us what to think. People assess the government based on performance — roads, jobs, cost of living, development — and then make their decision at the ballot box. That is where the real power lies.

If the opposition is not being taken seriously, as he himself admits, then the responsibility lies squarely with them. It is not the government’s job to strengthen its opponent. It is the opposition’s job to earn the public’s confidence. If they have failed to do that, delaying an election will not magically fix it.

I also take issue with the notion that holding an election now is somehow a “disservice” to the people. Elections are how people get to choose. That is the very definition of service to the people. Suggesting otherwise almost sounds like saying voters should wait until politicians get themselves together — and that does not sit right with me.

As for the claim that this is like “kicking someone when they’re down,” politics is not a sympathy exercise. It is about leadership, readiness, and the ability to govern. If a party wants to lead a country, it must always be ready — not just when conditions are convenient.

In the end, I believe most voters understand this. We are not looking for excuses from political parties. We are looking for competence, ideas, and leadership.

If the opposition is not ready, that is their problem — not a reason to delay the democratic process for the entire country.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Voter