[4][5] The UPP later contested the 2018 Barbadian general election the next year but only 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 (BLP).

On 31 May, less than a week after the swearing-in of the new government, Atherley informed the prime minister of his intention to leave the BLP and become an independent parliamentarian.

Due to the absence of other non-BLP MPs in Parliament, Atherley was sworn in the next day as Leader of the Opposition.

[9][10] 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, Atherley and Eastmond announced an electoral alliance between their two parties to contest the 2022 general elections as the APP.