Bowen and Joseph disassociate from ‘endorsement’ letters and urge colleagues and supporters to foster unity

In a press statement issued today, March 13, MP Sherfield Bowen
and Senator Johnathan Joseph dissociated themselves from certain
letters of endorsement that were published on Saturday, March 9,
and called upon their colleagues and supporters to adopt political
maturity and foster unity.

The statement says that, “upon reflection, both have acknowledged
that the publication of what they understood to be an ‘internal’
document has had negative, though unintended, consequences.”

MP Bowen used his seniority in age and experience “to address and,
where possible, correct the negative outcomes” emanating from the
published documents.

“It is to be expected that there will be divergent views on issues of
leadership. Half may support Madam Chair and another half may
call for change; half may support our political leader and another
half may call for change. This is how democracy works,” MP Bowen
says, directing his appeal to Convention delegates and Party
supporters.

“What is not expected and cannot be condoned is the ostracizing of
anyone; or clandestine moves to undermine anyone; or widespread
distribution of pamphlets seeking to invite public support of one
brother over another. Diversity of opinion must be managed,” the
MP writes.

“I will not and cannot engage myself in a public campaign among my
brothers and my sister and I hereby disassociate myself from any
such action,” Bowen declares.

Instead, he urges all concerned to work together to project and
maintain a wholesome campaign that is not singularly focused upon
winning at all cost. The campaign, he adds, should focus upon “who
is ‘BEST’ for us to lead our mission to rescue the country.”

Meanwhile, the statement says that Senator Joseph endorses
Bowen’s call “for political maturity and unity among contenders and
supporters and regrets any discomfort caused to the Party’s
leadership.”

Since the “endorsement letters” were published over the weekend,
one contender – Pearl Quinn-Williams – has exited the race, though
for unrelated reasons.

Accordingly, MPs Jamale Pringle and Richard Lewis remain in
contention for the position of political leader of the United
Progressive Party.