{"id":267615,"date":"2026-02-19T13:41:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=267615"},"modified":"2026-02-19T13:42:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T17:42:00","slug":"sir-molwyn-urges-end-to-divisive-politics-during-tribute-to-sir-robin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/sir-molwyn-urges-end-to-divisive-politics-during-tribute-to-sir-robin\/","title":{"rendered":"Sir Molwyn Urges End to Divisive Politics During Tribute to Sir Robin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sir Molwyn Joseph Urges Political Reset as Parliament Honors Sir Robin Yearwood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sir Molwyn Joseph on Wednesday used his tribute to Sir Robin Yearwood to call for a change in the tone and direction of politics in Antigua and Barbuda, urging the opposition to help \u201carrest the degradation and the false information\u201d that he said was undermining the country\u2019s image.<\/p>

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Speaking during a special sitting of Parliament marking Sir Robin\u2019s 50 years of unbroken service in the House of Representatives, Joseph questioned whether the moment could signal \u201ca new beginning for Antigua and Barbuda\u201d and a \u201cnew outlook\u201d in the way politics is conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said members on the opposition benches had an opportunity to halt what he described as the undermining of the state\u2019s public and international image, warning, \u201cWe have to stop \u2026 because we all will become losers in this country.\u201d<\/p>

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Joseph framed his appeal against the backdrop of Sir Robin\u2019s five decades in office, noting that the veteran lawmaker had been elected 11 times by the people of St. Philip\u2019s North and that those victories reflected the voluntary will of the electorate.<\/p>

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\u201cFor 50 years to represent them in this honorable House,\u201d Joseph said, adding that such longevity could not be taken for granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He placed Sir Robin\u2019s tenure in the wider history of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, highlighting its record in government since 1976 and crediting what he described as the \u201c76ers\u201d with helping to create political stability and a democratic environment that fostered peace and togetherness.<\/p>

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Joseph also reflected on the official declaration of Sir Robin\u2019s first victory in 1976, recalling that he was declared duly elected after receiving 756 votes to his opponent\u2019s 375.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At points blending humor with tribute, Joseph recounted a personal story about seeking one of Sir Robin\u2019s goats \u2014 a promise he joked remains unfulfilled \u2014 drawing laughter in the chamber.<\/p>

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But he returned to a serious tone in closing, saying the country faces \u201csome of the most difficult periods in our history as small island states\u201d and urging unity as Antigua and Barbuda navigates global pressures.<\/p>

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\u201cThis is a signal moment for Antigua and Barbuda,\u201d he said, calling on lawmakers to seize the opportunity presented by Sir Robin\u2019s milestone to elevate the national conversation and advance the country\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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