{"id":219599,"date":"2024-12-19T17:19:16","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T21:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=219599"},"modified":"2024-12-19T17:19:17","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T21:19:17","slug":"lennox-weston-ablp-friends-abandoned-asot-michael-but-reclaimed-him-in-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/lennox-weston-ablp-friends-abandoned-asot-michael-but-reclaimed-him-in-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Lennox Weston: ABLP Friends Abandoned Asot Michael but \u2018Reclaimed Him in Death\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lennox Weston: ABLP Abandoned Asot Michael but \u2018Reclaimed Him in Death\u2019<\/strong><\/p>

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Former MP Lennox Weston stirred emotions and sparked conversation during his tribute at Hon. Asot Michael\u2019s funeral, claiming that Michael was abandoned by his close friends in the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), only to be embraced once again after his passing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAsot Michael, a man who gave so much to the ABLP and its cause, found himself abandoned in life by many he once called friends. And yet, in death, those same individuals have reclaimed him as their own,\u201d Weston said, addressing a packed congregation.<\/p>

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Weston\u2019s comments cast a reflective and, at times, critical light on Michael\u2019s later years, particularly on his strained relationship with the political party he represented for much of his career.<\/p>

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Despite the controversies surrounding his later political life, Weston painted a vivid picture of Michael as a bold and generous leader who revolutionized politics in Antigua and Barbuda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAsot was a political trailblazer\u2014a master campaigner and fundraiser who knew how to connect with people at a personal level,\u201d Weston said. He described Michael\u2019s focus on direct assistance to constituents, from providing health and education support to organizing festive giveaways during the holidays.<\/p>

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Weston also recalled Michael\u2019s ability to captivate audiences, both on the campaign trail and in Parliament. \u201cHe was a showman, a performer, and a man of action,\u201d Weston noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weston did not shy away from addressing the fractures in Michael\u2019s relationship with the ABLP. He recounted Michael\u2019s decision to run as an independent candidate in the 2023 general election after parting ways with the party, achieving a historic victory in St. Peter.<\/p>

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\u201cAbandoned by those he trusted, Asot mused his way to within six votes of a stunning electoral upset that could have changed the political landscape,\u201d Weston said. \u201cIn doing so, he became the first independent candidate to win the St. Peter seat, a feat that sent shockwaves through the Labour Party.\u201d<\/p>

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Weston\u2019s remarks reflected the complexities of Michael\u2019s career, which saw him shift from being a key figure in the ABLP to an independent force who continued to serve his constituents with the same vigor and dedication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Weston celebrated Michael\u2019s enduring legacy, he did not hold back from critiquing the political dynamics surrounding his funeral. \u201cIn death, the ABLP has reclaimed Asot as their own\u2014a true Labourite, a comrade,\u201d Weston said. \u201cBut the question remains: where were these voices of support during his darkest hours?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement drew murmurs from attendees and underscored the complicated relationship between Michael and his former allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weston\u2019s tribute blended celebration with critique, capturing the essence of a man who was as dynamic and impactful as he was polarizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAsot\u2019s generosity, charisma, and passion for service will never be forgotten,\u201d Weston said. \u201cHe gave everything he had to his constituents and his country, and that is the legacy we should remember.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael\u2019s legacy, as Weston described it, remains one of resilience, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to the people he served\u2014even in the face of adversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATCH THE FULL TRIBUTE BY WESTON HERE:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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