St. Peter Member of Parliament Asot has hinted of a possible challenge to Prime Minister Gaston Browne for the leadership of the ruling Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party and the Prime Minister-ship of the country.
Browne has been leader of the ABLP since 2012 after defeating former Prime Minister Sir Lester Bird in a high-stakes leadership battle. Browne himself has said on more than one occasion that had it not been for Michael’s support, his closest political ally, he would not have been able to defeat the indomitable Sir Lester Bryant Bird.
Speaking in Parliament on Saturday during the debate on the Companies Amendment Bill 2020, Michael reminded Browne of the support he gave to him during both contentious leadership battles.
“That’s why I was the first person to stand with you to become political leader and lend my unequivocal and loyal support, the first one before many sitting in this House. I was the only one at the time to stand with him against all odds even against my beloved surrogate father Sir Lester Bryant Bird, who I owe my political career to,” Michael recalled.
Browne has led his ABLP to two successive victories at the polls in 2014 and again with an increased majority in 2018.
Based on this, Michael said the party and the country made the right decision in electing Browne. He hastened to add however, that he is not ruling out the possibility of challenging Browne for the leadership of the country’s oldest political party.
“Of course I did the right thing. He is bright, fearless, caring and self-made. He grew up in abject poverty, and therefore understands the struggles of the working class people of this country. I am proud of him as a Prime Minister and God help this country if Baldwin Spencer was still the Prime Minister,” Michael said.
He added, “our relationship transcends politics, we are blood brothers for life… but that doesn’t mean I won’t run against you for Prime Minister one day you know, and challenge you in the party for the leadership.”
When asked if he said those words in jest, Michael referred ANR back to what he said without providing further clarification.
The St. Peter MP enjoys overwhelming popularity, not only among his constituents, winning his seat convincingly four times in a row and each time with an increased number of votes, but gaining the highest percentage of the popular votes in any constituency in the 2018 general elections. However, it is an undisputable fact that MP Michael is loved not only by his constituents but by persons from all walks in Antigua & Barbuda on both sides of the political divide. And arguably, one of the most popular politicians in Antigua & Barbuda.
It was only last week that Browne heaped praises on Michael, calling him the absolute best at making connections even superior to him.
Michael told law makers that he will remain a friend to the Prime Minister despite their differences.
“We are brothers for life, we suffered together and went through many trials and tribulations for 10 years in opposition. When the UPP sent police and soldiers with machine guns to hound us at our private residence, you were there. You even pushed through the police barrier when they sought to deny you entry at Dry Hill when they held my mother hostage for 14 hours. You were also there when certain members of this Labour Party sitting in this house today wanted to expel me from the party, and we walked with our troops and mash up the whole tribunal meeting at 46 North. And when Jimmy Fuller joined with the UPP members of the Electoral Boundaries Commission and tried to wipe out the entire St. Peters Constituency and subsume it into St Phillips North and have Sir Robin to take away St. Peter from me, you stood up for me again and we challenged them in the court’s and won.,” Michael said.
“You were always here for me as a brother and I will always be here for you as a brother as long as life lasts,” he said.
Prime Minister Browne has hinted of elections as early as November 2021 expressing confidence that his ABLP will win all seats in the parliament next time around.
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And that is where UPP fails. The fractured UPP still has not learned the art of the kum-bah-yah. No wonder UPP is in shambles with a spineless puppet for a “leader” and wannabe PM. Joanne Massiah is the prime example of the UPP’s inability to kum-bah-yah and carry on. The “U” in UPP certainly can’t mean united.
This is about ABLP. How you get to UPP?? No sensible Antiguans want a leader like the present one. In any event, the way Mia Mottley have him begging should should show you that he is not any good leader but only have ‘trang’ for Antigua people. Stop the pulling down of Lovell and UPP in order to prop up ABLP. Let them stand on their accomplishment, if there are any.
Cool Ruler ,”can you move to the head of the class please”. You are so correct . After getting feed back from the people of St.Peter that they don’t want any other candidates ,the PM find it the say how great a guy Asot is. Antigua is a strange place with very forgetful people .
You hit the nail right on the head!
The PM better watch this guy closely. Is his loyalty and friendship to be trusted? The PM has the overwhelming support of the ABLP and the People of Antigua and Barbuda. He’s a natural leader.
You sure have some nasty thoughts. Where is your mind wandering. The Prime Minister IS a natural leader, chosen for an hour such as this, and the people have affirmed it. He’ll be at the helm for many years to come. He is spiritual man, a man of principle and great intelligence, a real man of the people. I didn’t even vote for the man, but his time in office revealed to all that he is the Natural Leader. With him at the helm, the red flag will fly for another generation, the red flag of international labour and the working class everywhere, the banner of Black Democratic Socialism and social democracy. He is a man of the common people and walks in solidarity with them all. God bless Antigua.
This Kristi minion can’t be serious. The top dawg will go down as the worst Prime Minister in the history of Antigua & Barbuda surpassing Lester Bird. “Need I say more” leadership really matters.
Speak for yourself on this support thing.
MY GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS BORNED IN 1910 (TEACHER), TOLD ME THAT THE COLLECTIVE AIM OF THE ETHNIC GROUP, IS TO RULE ANTIGUA. SHE SAID THAT BLACK PEOPLE SHOULD NOT ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.
That was 40 years ago. Thanks for your wisdom Grandma.
I am appealing to all the educated Antiguans and Barbudans (including myself) who lives in and outside of the country, to run for political office. It is now our obligation!!!
Why should Black people rule Antigua and Barbuda? Was it left to them in the will of the Caribs? Or did the Europeans sign some deal to give the land to Black people? Black people who were brought in as slaves are now the majority population of the island and that is all. They were not always the majority and they did not always rule the land.
There are other ethnic groups who want a piece of the pie and it is within their right.
…so, in other words, the Indigenous people met on the island(s) by the Europeans deserved, to be terrorized & slaughtered, by said Europeans because, they did not comply with the wishes, of the European Terrorists….Hmmmnnnnn.
Next – those European Terrorist who knew, of the values, of the lands and its resources, and the fact, that they were needed to replenish Europes empty coffers, and dying starving breeds, took to Africa, as Terrorist to supply their Labour force, on the Island with FREE LABOUR(yes, it’s known, that africans deserted africans, but that’s war). Now, said FREE LABOUR, helped to replenish Europeans coffers, and after the Europeans, had enough, gave the island QUASI INDEPENDENCE, to appease, the now physically free Africans, yet, due to the indoctrination, by institutions such as, the church, the People became mental slaves, bamboozled by the European henchmen(overseers/politicisns/pied pipers), who persuaded them(the now physically freed african) to remain calm, pay your taxes, and tithes, in order, that they’d be able to purchase, a percentage of the lands which their forefathers BLOOD-SWEAT-TEARS saturated.
Next – the Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, of those who paid for the lands, MUST give those lands, and resources back to the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, of those who enslaved, abused, misused their forefathers, AND, they sit back, go to church, eat humble pie, from the sky, while every other MOFO, waltz in and gets the Lion share, of what’s left in terms of resources?
Yea, the Handwriting is on the wall, and The Chinese will be singing your tune, soon and very soon, while Antiguans keep getting phucked with a Stingray Lance!
I’m waiting to see the same energy in response to this obviously racist post, as was done to Mr Burford. This sounds like a person who wants to keep black Antiguans down. Wow
@Anon. You might be surprised.. I have heard members of the UPP called the most degrading names in Antigua. I am yet to hear the honourable man being called a quarter of the same. Money can turn the soul of a Blackman. Mark my words.
Lemme guess, Guyanese Indian? Don’t bring your racial divide here. We live in harmony.
@Indian. What is your point? The decendants of Black people here paid with their lives! Not to mention blood, sweat and tears. It is true that under this govt, the emphasis is money and not nation building but do not under estimate our love for this country.
All of you sound foolish. As fools fighting over a few pittons. The worst offense in God’s eyes is doing to someone what you didnt want foe yourself. ANYONE who desires to lead the country of Antigua and Barbuda MUST have the best wishes of ALL MEN in his manifesto and heart. Anything other than this including a false sense of protectionism will lead to failure and oppression. Though I know some of you would not mind oppressing other groups within the country. You have to get rid of that bad minded way of thinking.
@Truths and Rights…insipid at best, as to your comment!
It never fails, that when Alkebulan/African descendants, of the darker hues of HUEmanity, speak, to the atrocities, the #Truths of their past, as they pertain to their #Rights as HUEmans, the counter argument always attempts, to belittle their #Truths and #Rights.
Well said … we need the country fan by thOse who are well rounded and well educated … not just those known by legacy and years of service!
I think it’s time to let our ladies shine. I think Samantha should step up!
If he was really serious he would point out his flaws instead he is one the biggest cheer leaders for PM Gaston Browne, spouting how great Gaston when you know that you want to challenge him. Please , All fools day done come gone since April 1st.2020. We ain’t that dumb. Saw that Movie before, you won the best actor Award.
OK, ANR – Antigua News Room!
You can sensor my comments, but you cannot STOP The Rattling Bones….
…SHAKE! RATTLE! RATTLE! SHAKE! RATTLE! ROLL!
…Snake Eyes! Snake Eyes!
…Who’s telling a lie?
…the residents, of the cemetery?
…’cause, I know that it ain’t Pompey!
…yet, this was very clear for All to see!
…if, you’ve being paying attention!
…to, the Circus of Politricks!
…for, Asot’s intention!
…’twas, as White As Snow In Salmon!
…SHAKE! RATTLE! RATTLE! SHAKE!
…ROLL those Snake Eyes!
…because, ’tis like an Earthquake!
…leaving mayhem, in its wake!
…ah! Yes! Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!
…As in, No Thing; is the Only Thing!
…that, happens by mistake!
…all others are by DESIGN!
…by design! by design! by phucking design!
…thus, let not these thoughts
…even though, they may be perceived, as naught!
…phuck with your mind!
…for, they will Ring Truth in Time!
Tenman, a wah U a say?
Dis Earthquake, YAH kno,
lakkah wan 9.5, a shake up, and a mash up, de party!
“TROUBLE IN ARIMA” BY THE LATE LORD KITCHENER.IS IT COMING TO PASS INSIDE THE GASTON BROWNE REGIME OF SEVERAL SPLITS IN THE INNER SANCTUM.I HAD MY EARS DOW TO THE GROUND.ALL THEM SCHOOL CHILDREN SAY.OTHER SENIOR INSIDERS ARE PLANNING TO RUN FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE LABOR PARTY.SO ASOT HINTING TO DO SO IS NOT SURPRISING.HISTORY WOULD SHOW AT THIS TIME 07/13/2020.GASTON “TAP DAWG” BROWNE IS THE WORST PRIME MINISTER IN THE HISTORY OF THIS NATION-1981 -2020.WE HAD SIR VC BIRD,SIR LESTER BIRD,HON.BALDWIN SPENCER,GASTON DAWG BROWNE.LOOK AT THEIR TRACKING RECORDS AND SEE FOR YOURSELVES.THIS ONE TALKS TOO DAMN MUCH.THE RESULTS ARE ABYSMAL.HOT AIR AND NOTHING ELSE.
Gaston Browne leads in the tradition of Papa Bird, and will go down in history as one of the best leaders this island ever had. He will lead this country for another 20 years or longer. His leadership has made us proud. Thank you, sir, for sharing your life with us. The common people are with you. You a man of the people, and the people know it. Thank you and God bless you.
@Conrad. Hope your grand children and great-grandchildren who will have to pay back the millions and billions, and have to work for Chinese and others will agree with you.
@ ZACKIE
We tried your UPP and UPP bankrupted Antigua. We will never vote UPP again. Look at the CANDIDATES presented by UPP for next election. Zackie do you believe Antigua will vote these CANDIDATES ? BIG BIG JOKE UPP.
In these difficult and frightening time’s it’s nice to know someone can cracked JOKES…..
BLACK-MAN, as usual whenever you open your mouth the environment is the worse for it. Bet you are not what your name suggests. Ours couldn’t be that dumb! So you and “Indian” stop digging around in the sewer to try to start a race war in Antigua. You would be first to “go”. “Indian” clearly does NOT know the HISTORY of Antigua and so his/her conclusions are laughable at most.
It’s true. BLACK-MAN may not be what his name suggests. INDIAN, too. Something isn’t quite right with these two.
@Indian… prior to the emancipation act of 1833, the biggest argument among whites in Antigua was who should own the land. They wrote to their representative in England suggesting that the land should be own by the Arawaks. But the Arawaks were going through extinction! Do you know why sir?
They then suggested that the land should be own by the whites, the argument being that “whites were in Antigua before the Africans.”
Isn’t funny that all the Africans wanted was for white people to leave them alone?
Elmo on stand by now
Good morning, if what I read is true, I support you 100 percent.
@ ZACKIE
We tried your UPP and UPP bankrupted Antigua. We will never vote UPP again. Look at the CANDIDATES presented by UPP for next election. Zackie do you believe Antigua will vote these CANDIDATES ? BIG BIG JOKE UPP.
@Truths and Rights…insipid at best, as to your comment!
It never fails, that when Alkebulan/African descendants, of the darker hues of HUEmanity, speak, to the atrocities, the #Truths of their past, as they pertain to their #Rights as HUEmans, the counter argument always attempts, to belittle their #Truths and #Rights.
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