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Barbuda Council Elections Prompt Hope for Renewed Government Dialogue
Fresh mandate raises prospects for improved cooperation on island’s future development
The recent Barbuda Council elections have prompted cautious optimism for a renewed dialogue between the central government and local officials, following a period of strained relations over land rights, development, and governance.
While the results reaffirmed support for the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM), which has long clashed with the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP)-led administration, government officials say they are hopeful that the new Council will take a more collaborative approach.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing, Ambassador Lionel Max Hurst, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the government remains open to re-establishing the joint consultative committee—a mechanism designed to facilitate communication and coordination on issues affecting Barbuda.
“We anticipate a more cooperative relationship and hope the Council will be willing to engage constructively,” Hurst said.
In recent years, tensions have flared over development projects on the sister island, including the construction of the Barbuda International Airport and hotel ventures. The Council has accused the central government of bypassing local authority and disregarding the island’s unique communal land tenure system, while the government has criticised the Council for obstructing progress and stalling national investment.
The joint consultative committee, which previously existed to bridge such divides, has not met for several years. Its revival is seen as a potential step toward resolving longstanding disputes and ensuring that major projects proceed with input from both sides.
Analysts note that despite political differences, the outcome of the elections provides a fresh opportunity to reset the tone of engagement—especially as Barbuda continues to recover from Hurricane Irma and faces critical decisions about land use, housing, and economic development.
It remains to be seen whether the parties will agree on the structure and agenda of the proposed committee, but there is a growing consensus that dialogue is essential for moving forward.
“We have always said we are prepared to meet,” Hurst added, “but it requires both sides to show up at the table.”
The new Barbuda Council is expected to be sworn in shortly.
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To quote Trevor Walker in addressing Barbudans:
“…and seem to be on a protracted path of
-GAMBLING
-IDLENESS
-SEXUAL PROMISCUITY
-DRUG ABUSE
-ALCOHOL ABUSE
-BADMINDED-NESS
-COVETUOUS-NESS
-SELFISHNESS
-UNPRODUCTIVITY. People don’t want to work
-DECEITFULNESS
-People badminded and just covet other people
-LACK OF RESPECT FOR OTHERS
-LACK OF RESPECT FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY
Council say work til 4 o’clock or 5 o’clock. You warn go home 10 o’clock
-LAZINESS
-THE LOVE FOR MONEY
-GREEDINESS
And the last one which I find is the most profound for me:
-OUR TURNING AWAY FROM GODLY THINGS”.
~Member of Parliament Trevor Walker
PM Browne, enough is enough! Please don’t waste any more time on ungrateful, delusional barbarians. Antiguans need your undivided attention. Our children are growing up fast! One day they’re in kindergarten, in no time at all they are ready, full of potential and qualifications to go off to University. Enough of the Barbuda side-show!
Couldn’t help but notice that the very popular ABS Radio and TV online forum never carried information about the BPM election victory in the recent council election. I have no doubt that had the ABLP candidates emerged victorious, it would have been splashed all over the network. ABS must work for all of us irrespective of political affiliation.
Couldn’t help but notice the Dominican beauty queen took you to the cleaners. You really think a nice, pretty, YOUNG girl would go for an old geezer? C’mon bro!
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/antiguan-man-says-former-pageant-contestant-defrauding-him-of-over-20000/
@Sad but True: Why you don’t move ya sad beaten ass and find a new recitation. Trevor bruk tick in a ya rh?
not in my ear, maybe in the BROWN PAPERBAG!!!??? “I saw you, I saw you”
New council, new opportunities.
I have heard enough of this talk in the pass honestly.
BPM for the Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Babudans don’t fall for rethoric any longer. So “Government officials say they are hopeful that the new Council will take a more collaborative approach”.
Max Hurst mentions a Joint Consultative Committe. That so-called Committee was a meeting where Gaston and his Cabinet attempt to dictate what they are going to do on Barbuda.
Collaboration is not to dictate and if you don’t get your way you bring in the police.
Twenty six Police sitting around on Barbuda when in the past there were 6 police.
Riot Police with kevlar vest and high powered rifles is not collaboration.
Its represents the characteristics of a police state.
Barbudans do not envision collaboration with guns pointed at them .
Barbudans just want the ABLP to follow the laws. Follow what in the Constitution. The Barbuda Local Government Act in enshrined in the Constitution.
Its part of the Constitution period
Barbudans will collaborate so long as The Barbuda Local Government Act is being followed.
That is the foundation of a collaborative approach.
Not one where Barbudans are called into Cabinet and dictated too, given a deadline with a take it ir leave it
If they disagree as to what Gaston and his ABLP Cabinet members are pushing on the Barbuda people; then they are not collaborating.
Barbuda s gave been the victim of State Media and Paid media bias.
You’d be surprised at the digital media that is being paid by Gaston to push his bias version of the truth and reality
@Audley Phillip,
The Barbuda Council is not without criticism.
Among their failures is the lack of a digital news and entertainment portal for and about Barbuda. It would reduce the level of bias and misinformation about Barbuda.
Give the Political Environment it’s unlikely for ABS to be anything but bias against anyone not following the political philosophy of ABLP
In fact there is a coolness on the part of Observed after the trip sponsored by one of Observer’s owners was a bust with the bathroom issue.
Stems from lack of basic knowledge about Barbud
Like yourself Max Hurst and the ABLP; Babudans are always ready to talk but not to be dictated to.
As per Hurst: “It remains to be seen whether the parties will agree on the structure and agenda of the proposed committee, but there is a growing consensus that dialogue is essential for moving forward”.
At this time Antigua hardly have any sustainable plan for economic development but that of exploiting and disenfranching Barbudabs of their lands .
Barbudans are not going to agree to be exploited. That’s a non-starter.
Before you disagree read the Barbuda Local Government Act which is part of the Constitution
It’s not like the 2007 Land Act that was nullified by The Paradise Found Act
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@gaston: ok so you want me to take a much more calloborative approach in theft of the Barbudan people lands? well John mussington don’t play that.
•First remove the extra contingent of Police brought on the island to intimidate Barbudans
•Admit to the contents of the Barbuda Local Government Act
•Tell your father-in-law to stop fencing Barbudans farm land and putting up guard booth to keep them off their land
•Stop destroying farms to build housing no Barbudans want or needs
•Follow the law as it’s pertains to Barbuda by complying with Barbuda Local Governor Act.
• Stop discrediting the Barbudans for your failures and your lack of respect communal lands
• When you Gaston, committs we will committ.
@ Faithful National #1
He was not invited, he is not welcomed .
His interest is to use Barbuda for his new frontier of his curruption enterprise.
He is going down. This is just s jab. The Russ woman has the knock out punch coming.
You will see who is delusional soon.
If ALP had won, they would not be calling for no meeting.
Trevor Walker, the time is right. Please take your little island and run from Gaston Browne as fast as possible.
He is a desperate man and anything can happen