“Minister Greene Criticizes Opposition Leadership for Missing Farewell to Sir Gerald Watt”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs, E.P. Chet Greene, has expressed disappointment in Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle for his absence at the special parliamentary sitting honoring Sir Gerald Watt, KC, the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Speaking during an interview on Pointe FM, Minister Greene described Pringle’s decision to skip the farewell event as a missed opportunity to recognize Sir Gerald’s contributions to parliamentary democracy in Antigua and Barbuda.
Greene suggested that Pringle’s absence was not accidental but the result of poor advice from political handlers.
“I believe he was misguided by those around him, who failed to see the importance of this seminal moment in our parliamentary history,” Greene remarked.
He also criticized what he called a culture of “color-coded politics,” which he argued often prevents constructive engagement across party lines.
Sir Gerald Watt, who served as Speaker of the House since 2014, was lauded by Greene for his leadership and his efforts to maintain order and professionalism in parliamentary debates.
“He was fearless and strict, ensuring that parliamentary standards were upheld,” Greene said, adding that Sir Gerald played a significant role in modernizing standing orders and mentoring MPs, including members of the opposition.
Reflecting on Sir Gerald’s relationship with Pringle, Greene noted that the Speaker often guided the Opposition Leader in parliamentary conduct and procedure, despite what he called a perception of hostility from within Pringle’s party.
“Too often, Sir Gerald’s constructive feedback was misinterpreted as adversarial, but anyone who takes an honest look will see his efforts were aimed at improving the quality of debate,” Greene said.
Pringle’s absence at the farewell sitting was particularly disappointing, Greene said, given the Speaker’s legacy and his efforts to elevate parliamentary standards.
The minister expressed hope that Pringle would reflect on the significance of the occasion and the guidance Sir Gerald had offered during his tenure.
The parliamentary session also saw the swearing-in of Osbert Richard Frederick as the new Speaker of the House.
Greene congratulated Frederick on his appointment and expressed optimism about his tenure, calling it a continuation of the strong leadership tradition established by his predecessors.
The interview highlighted ongoing political tensions in Antigua and Barbuda, with Greene doubling down on his criticism of the opposition while reiterating his commitment to fostering a more collaborative and respectful political environment.
However, he made it clear that moments like Sir Gerald’s farewell deserved bipartisan acknowledgment and respect.
For Greene, the opposition’s decision to skip this milestone event was a missed opportunity for unity and mutual respect in Antigua and Barbuda’s political landscape.
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Chet go and lick the Browne dawg ass. The old geriatric should have gorn out of the parliament a long time ago. Chet the money glut wants leadership of the ABLP NF.
And so what.
Even though I am not a personal fan of Pringle he was damn right. Gerald Watt is the most one-sided speaker in the history of Antigua. Respect must be earned and he did not earn it in my humble opinion. Chet you are just a hypocrite but what’s new
@patriot…really ! Most one-sided? Please.
There is no law that says the opposition had to be present for Watt’s departure. The UPP would not have been put out if it was the other way around.
Watt did not earn the opposition MPs respect nor trust. He showed himself to be abusive at times and condescending. He lost their respect by his readiness to champion Gaston Browne’s causes and opinions.
Legacy is a hell of a thing. He left the house without any respect from any side. He was used by the leader and was discarded.
He verbally abused the chairman of the UPP and he threw shade on the new opposition MPs. These are not actions that inspired respect and admiration.
He needs to ride off in the sunset and spend his days regretting losing his dignity because of his dishonest support of the ALP leader and his hatred for the UPP of which he was once a member.
How much is he being paid by tax payers for the use of his property as a health facility? That’s the public’s concern and that’s why he’s trying to divert to some kind of trivial matter.
Chet, learn respect yourself first!!!
Question to you,HYPOCRITE CHET. What did Pringle miss again?Gerry Watt,was the most one sided person to sit in that seat as the Loud Speaker of the House.In my opinion,Pringle did not miss one damn thing.I do hope,a Commission is set up.To investigate how all of you poor arses became so rich in such a short time.A WEY ARE YOU GET ALL A DAT MONEY?
Chet you are so correct. The speaker spared him opposition leader many times and even counseled him accordingly, yet there was no gratitude shown to the departing speaker. The opposition leader must remember that ” ungratefulness is worst than witch craft “
I heard in Sunday night news on ABS Chet Green says he has no intention of challenging Gaston Browne for the leadership and I honestly believe him, he fraid Gaston like monkey fraid gun and so does every other member in the party. Gaston will just destroy anybody that try that
BLOODY BLOKE: YOU ARE SO MISGUIDED IN YOUR DISCOURSE. I DO NOT KNOW PRINGLE.I KNEW GERRY WATT SINCE HE LIVED WITH HIS PARENTS ON FORT ROAD.HE WAS NOT A NICE PERSON THEN AND NOW.I WOULD NOT HAVE TURNED UP EITHER TO HEAR HIS DIATRIBE.
Johnny come lately need to understand that the UPP was the people who were selling blue stinking chicken that blue fly was following and dying on the chicken shop was on Nevis street,Owned by Jinx Walter’s the brother of the late Premier Sir George Walter’s and the late Selvin and Augustine Walter’s and that’s Facts
@Watching. You are and Old Idiot. For what it was worth, that was an attempt to reach for national self-sufficiency and if adopted and properly developed would have made our country a better place. Nobody died from the effort yet old-farts like you would not let it go.
Now to Chet. Are you criticizing the Opposition for not being hypocrites??? That is what we teach our children and the former speaker should have thought about his departure and how he wanted to be remembered as he more often than not seems to cater to the whims of the govt side.
@Patriot November 24, 2024 At 1:05 pm
That is what you would want us to believe. But our memory is not short to remember Speaker of the House Giselle Isaac who said, she dance with the one that took her to the party. She expelled Chet Greene for something he said outside parliament on the radio about the then Governor General Louis Lake Tack. Nothing to do with Parliamentary rules. Give me a break Patriot. In the past there was only one person with the license plate Patriot and that was ambassador Joan Underwood. And if that is you, it speaks for itself. Try and mislead us in thinking you are not bias. Please
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