In a spectacle that could rival the most dramatic of soap operas, Prime Minister Gaston Browne wrapped up the 2025 national budget, and 7 MPs including 6 Ministers failed to present an account of their stewardship. And yet, somehow, the Opposition is being framed as the villain in this motion picture. Welcome to the political theater of Antigua and Barbuda, where accountability takes a backseat to narrative manipulation.
Blaming the Opposition instead of Gaston Browne for shutting down the budget isn’t just intellectually dishonest—it’s insulting to the electorate’s intelligence. Let’s be clear: budget presentations are a fundamental responsibility of sitting MPs and Ministers. This is not some optional exercise in parliamentary decorum; it’s the bedrock of governance. Budgets outline national priorities, allocate resources, and shape policies that affect every citizen. When Government representatives fail to perform this critical duty, the consequences ripple far beyond the parliamentary chambers.
So, how does the Opposition shoulder the blame for Government MPs’ inaction? Enter the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party’s (ABLP) well-oiled spin machine—adept at transforming internal failures into external conspiracies.
Breaking down the spin
When the facts are inconvenient, the ABLP’s strategy is simple: redirect attention. Point fingers at the Opposition, accuse them of obstruction, and conjure up grand narratives of sabotage. Meanwhile, the real issue—an administration unable to manage its own ranks—goes conveniently unaddressed.
It’s a classic case of misdirection. Rather than asking why elected officials neglected their core duties, the public is fed a steady diet of rhetoric designed to shift focus. And it’s not just a passing comment—it’s a full-scale campaign. Press releases, radio segments, and social media posts working overtime to paint the Opposition as obstructionists.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the failure to present budgets is not a matter of political gamesmanship; it’s a dereliction of duty. Government MPs are not school children waiting for reminders from the Opposition. They are seasoned legislators, many of whom have served multiple terms. If they cannot fulfill their responsibilities, the blame lies squarely at their feet.
The Opposition’s role is to scrutinize and challenge—not to babysit. If anything, the Opposition should be commended for highlighting these lapses, not vilified for exposing the cracks in the system.
7 key figures silent during budget debate
• The Attorney General and Minister of National Security skipped presenting a budget or addressing the crime surge. In the same country where a sitting MP was murdered and his family was planning his burial, and two teenage girls’ deaths remain unsolved, this silence speaks volumes. National security is in crisis, yet the very person responsible dodged addressing these critical issues altogether.
• The Minister of Health was also missing in action when it came time to confront crumbling healthcare facilities, an overcrowded hospital, and non-functioning clinics. Even the public cemetery is at capacity. When the dead can’t find rest and the living can’t find care, what exactly is being governed?
• The Minister of Sports conveniently skipped over the glaring omission of any allocation for sports development in the budget. Our athletes are left to fend for themselves while the Government pretends their future isn’t worth investment.
• The Minister of Tourism and Aviation failed to address the elephant in the room—the outstanding payments for LIAT workers. To add insult to injury, the Government’s major investor in LIAT is now facing federal charges abroad, yet not a single word of explanation was offered.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs remained silent at a time when Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with the US and Caricom is at a critical juncture. With regional cooperation and international diplomacy more important than ever, this glaring omission leaves questions about the country’s future direction and standing.
• The Minister of Agriculture, despite lofty promises to increase food production by 25% in 2025, failed to seize the opportunity to present concrete details. Farmers and stakeholders are left wondering whether these targets are merely empty words without the necessary budgetary backing. Worse still, he has yet to explain the reduced expenditures for agriculture in this year’s budget, even as the Government touts plans for large-scale expansion of the sector. How does one expect to achieve bold growth with shrinking resources? This glaring contradiction leaves farmers questioning not just the feasibility of the promised 25% boost, but the sincerity behind the commitment itself. Without clarity and proper allocation, the agriculture sector risks becoming another casualty of political grandstanding—where big promises yield nothing but barren fields.
• The Deputy Speaker didn’t even bother to show up. Perhaps he knows something the rest of the country doesn’t—or maybe he just wasn’t up to “playing along with the charade.”
When budgets are skipped, the people suffer. Ministries operate without clear mandates, public services risk underfunding, and vital projects stall. This isn’t about partisan squabbling; it’s about governance—or the lack thereof.
Economic pressures and global uncertainty are undoubtedly real, but these challenges demand more engagement, not less. At the very least, government officials must show up to present their plans, ensuring the electorate is not left in the dark.
The ABLP’s spin doctors may attempt to craft compelling narratives, but spin doesn’t pave roads, fund schools, or improve healthcare. The citizens of Antigua and Barbuda deserve more than political maneuvering. They deserve a Government that steps up, not one that hides from their responsibility.
Accountability required in the powerhouse
The next time the spin machine revs up, let’s remember who truly holds the key to the “powerhouse.”
The Opposition DOES NOT control the Government benches. The Opposition didn’t silence key Ministers. And the Opposition didn’t erase the budget from the agenda. That dishonor lies squarely at the feet of Gaston Browne and his Ministers — the very people who were elected to lead and boldly refused to do so, in the spotlight.
If voters are to take anything from this political charade, let it be this: the Government works for the people, not the other way around.
Sincerely,
Attentive voter
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