Joanne Massiah, leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), has sharply criticized the Antigua opposition’s decision to boycott the December budget debate, opting instead for the formation of a “mock parliament.”
Massiah condemned the move, asserting that elected parliamentarians neglected their serious responsibilities and undermined the Westminster system of government.
Massiah emphasized the gravity of managing a country’s resources, stating, “It is a serious business—the business of the people. Making a mockery of the Westminster system and elected representation is regrettable and must be rejected by the people.”
Expressing concern about the deterioration of parliamentary decorum, Massiah questioned the motivations behind the opposition’s decision, suggesting that convening a mock parliament could be a strategy to gain applause within an echo chamber.
She remarked, “I thought to myself that we have regrettably degenerated to a place in this country where elected parliamentarians are making a mockery of the Westminster system of government.”
Massiah stressed that such practices should be reserved for groups like the youth parliament and students honing their debate skills.
She urged serious elected representatives, whether in government or opposition, to focus on the critical task of handling the people’s business, saying, “Leave that kind of mock Parliament practice to those groups, those organizations. Not by serious people who should be serious people.”
“The people must reject this kind of politics that the opposition seems intent on practicing,” Massiah declared, calling on citizens to demand seriousness from their elected representatives.
Addressing concerns raised by the opposition about the time allocated for the December budget debate, Massiah acknowledged the importance of sufficient preparation time but criticized the opposition for potentially neglecting their duty.
She noted, “Are you just going to stomp your feet and complain every time and behave like a child, or are you going to rise to the occasion?”
Massiah argued that the opposition’s decision to boycott the December debate undermined the confidence that the electorate had placed in them just a year ago, saying, “They have solely disappointed the persons who elected them and the persons who did not elect them.”
She spoke on Pointe FM yesterday.
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I cannot honestly said I have researched this matter or believe I have adequate information to come to my pragmatic conclusion.
But I will say sometimes, not sure it applies in this case, protesting comes in all sorts of manner, even boycotting parliament.
Even no longer supporting a party that tells you I cannot help you with your endeavor that is of national and international importance.
However, for the issue which is subject of this article, I cannot give a free professional opinion here yet.
Well lawd ….this is coming from the leader of a failed political party, where the vast majority of the candidates in the last election on the DNA ticket ran away as fast as they could as if being chased by a pack of wolves. I didn’t hear the interview however from what was repeated it appears that she has a lot of venom for the opposition and very little for the ruling administration…🤔🤔 I wonder why?? Could it be that she too is looking to jump out of the orange dingy and into the big red machine??? Inquiring minds want to know! Otherwise please be quiet, your political opinions are no longer relevant on the national stage, and that is indeed a real disappointment!
There goes Joanne again trying to get some attention and talking point… Joanne you are on the late train just like your own party! U just came out of hibernation? You need to give up politics because everyone is laughing at you, just give it up!
Matthew 7:5
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”
The DNA is falling apart…fix that first
Not because the DNA is falling apart doesn’t mean she can’t criticized the elected opposition who are a part of the legislative arm of government. She has all right as a citizen and national of this country to level her opinion.
Ok the opposition boycotted the debate and have a “MOCK” presentation….we hear them….that doesn’t mean they didn’t to fulfill their paid obligation…
And you talking about DNA falling a part…how many times in 54 years the opposition fall apart..mash up…from PLM to UPP….
54-15= 39….. 40 YEARS AS OPPOSITION should be in the guiness book of records… Antiguans and Barbudans have spoken so many times. Other than the period 2004-2014 every election is a new set of candidates and the quality of slates get worst every time. If it wasn’t for ABWU the opposition as we know it would be in extinction to the jurassic age…. Soldier Crab glad when WELKS DEAD.
@ Joanne the BITTER
YOU ARE IRRELEVANT. Go and give yourself advice and lessons in democracy WHEN THERE WAS NO DEMOCRACY IN THE DNA, hence it’s and your downfall.
Who are you to be lecturing the opposition? Go and do what you do best- gargle alcohol. You cannot even control a party much less to be offering UNWARRENTED advice.
Take us all out of our misery and JUST MAKE THE BOLD MOVE AND JOIN THE ABLP, useless idiot.
Has Joanne Massiah ever criticized the labour Government? When you do, I will take you seriously. Who is paying you, the Labour Party? Just asking. Why don’t you officially join them?
Joanne na hab no shame?” All she people and dem a run from she and she chat she shit around the place.
Gal, go way. You are a clown.
She seems like a Bo-weevil is looking for a home with the cocooned few. The politics of convenience sure makes for strange bed fellows when the grass seem greener on the other side of the partisan fence. Lawd! A coo dey. There is a traitor on board: there is need for an examination of the cause. Shem belly full: but shem hungry, eh!
JOANNE YOU ARE IRRELEVANT
YOUR A COLOSSAL FAILURE
The oppositions are a bunch of square pegs in round holes…. Their Town house meeting or fashion show ( People’s Parliament ) was like a dress rehearse concert for the next national debate…. It’s a shame that Antigua’s opposition has come to this Low level… Perhaps they cannot be blamed. It is the people who put them there
She is a paid minion
A failed party whose purpose is to condemn UPP, but silent with the corrupt ABLP, I use to think she have standards but it appears she is working grabston brown
Joanne thought she was bigger than the UPP. Elected once and lost 4 times. In her last 2 elections she lost her deposit. In her last election she got less than 30 votes. She is more than irrelevant. She will evaporate as part of the exhaust of this countries bad memories. Bye Joanne. You’re finished and UPP is rebounding!
Joanne,Joanne,Joanne,you made one of the worst calculated decisions in your political life.If you had any foresight into your political future.You would have strayed with the UPP and by now become its leader.But no,you wanted power immediately in the Party.When you did not get it. You went and formed a so called party,Do Nothing Party.(DNA).Now all of those who stood with you and by you have abandoned you.They ran like hell away from you.Now I am wondering why.Is it because of your lacking in leadership qualities,not a people oriented person.This is just a reminder to you.Power tends to corrupt,and absolute power corrupts absolutely.Where have all the DNA CANDIDATES AND DEM GARNE? DEM GARNE A YARD.
The DNA and Joanne Massiah have so much to answer for in keeping the ABLP and Gaston Browne in office.
Their votes ensured that the UPP couldn’t overturn – what was a sure fired election win for UPP -, and left Antigua & Barbuda in dire straights.
ARE YOU PROUD ABOUT THIS?
And she have the damn cheek to talk about how the opposition deals with Gaston and the ABLP.
By the time of the next General Election people will be saying DNA who …?
This woman is bitter, and she is going to go bitter to her grave.
She felt she should have been given the nod to be Party Leader afer Spencer declared he was leaving politics and prior Lovell expressed no interest. Many in the Executive Committee could not support her owing to her similarity in character to Gaston Browne and begged Lovel to put his hat in the ring for Party Leadership.
Joan thinks it’s an injustice what was done to her.
Even with her party poor showing at the polls; as well as being on life support. She is unlikely to criticize Gaston and his cabinet for they both knock the same head.
God forbid, she became Prime Minister; she would be Gaston Browne version two.
Joan will continue to be critical of the UPP, until Gaston brings her in from the cold.
Yes Vernon, she looking position with the ABLP. So so obvious …
The Labourites and Gastonites are fuming over the People’s Parliament. Why? Shuggy’s resignation slapped them silly as he proceeded to kick Gaston Brown’s a$$ in SMS. What we got at the People’s Parliament were snippets of what could have been. Can you imagine Sherfield Bowen for an hour picking Gaston Browne’s bogus budget apart? Ah, it would have been embarrassing for the dunce finance minister. Don’t you think they knew this?
This makes Joanne and whatever garbage she spilled( and look where it transpired? ON the fresh water yankee show) completely IRRELEVANT, just like her. Do we not recall here calling Gaston Browne a pappy show? Now to go crawling like a dog on her knees? People have no shame?
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