Antigua MP Accuses Opposition of Damaging Country’s Image
A government minister in Antigua and Barbuda has accused opposition figures of seeking political power by portraying the country in a negative light.
Speaking at a political rally on Friday night, Daryll Matthew, a Member of Parliament for the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), said there was a growing trend of what he called “dangerous rhetoric” aimed at undermining national achievements.
Mr Matthew told party supporters that while the ABLP government had delivered progress across several sectors, including education, healthcare and tourism, critics continued to “spread lies and negativity”.
“They want to destroy this country just so they can call themselves leaders,” he said. “But we will never allow that to happen.”
The minister pointed to developments such as the growth of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, which has expanded from 176 students five years ago to more than 1,200, as evidence of government success.
He also addressed corruption allegations related to the luxury yacht Alfa Nero, denying any wrongdoing and saying he had not witnessed misconduct during Cabinet meetings.
“When they say people thief money and $10 million missing – they lie,” Mr Matthew said. “Tell them Daryll Matthew say so.”
The opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) has raised questions over the sale of the seized yacht and alleged a lack of transparency in government dealings. Mr Matthew challenged critics to provide evidence.
The ABLP, led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, has been in power since 2014. Mr Matthew urged supporters to continue campaigning based on the party’s record, and to reject what he described as efforts to “tear the country down” for political gain.
“Stop trying to become government by destroying the country,” he said. “You can’t burn the house down and then want to go move into it.”
The opposition has not yet publicly responded to Mr Matthew’s remarks.
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If they had told your mother was a whore, that is what you would have said
You got it wrong Daryl!. Have you forgotten the gun runners of ALP plus the imported gangsters from around the world who have obtained Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship?
Antigua Airways and the Africans who drowned was such a positive boost for the Nation’s image.
You have learned your recitation well.
Through the incompetence of Jamal Pringle and his close circle you have been given a life.
Had Jermaine Edwards been selected as the UPP candidate you would be shitting in your pants.
Thanks to the UPP you now have a voice and an extended life.
Your opponent cannot speak to sell his own bread.
Anyhow who can do any more damage to the country’s image than this government is doing?
Shanty sang it well years ago.
Any corruption we in dey I under the ALP.
If you believe that the UPP is damaging Antigua’s image let us destroy them.
Call an inquiry into the Odabrech Scandal.
That should crucify the corrupt one.
I know who he is.
Call an inquiry into the Antigua Airways/African smuggling scandal.
Call and inquiry into the Syrian smuggling Scandal which lead to the removal of the then immigration minister.
When you have done that let us see which party the characters involved are associated with.
I could call more that would require an inquiry.
Need I say more!!!!!!!
You just have to laugh at these politicians. Their selective memory is just astounding to say the least. 😂.
The greatest sector that is most damaging to the balance of any country, is crime and corruption Mr Matthew.
I will be respectful at the moment and give you the benefit of the doubt by not calling you a hypocrite, because from what little memories I have, it’s your party who has been in power for the last ten years, and crime and corruption has never been higher at anytime in the history of Antigua. Y’all even find a way to get rid of the beloved MP from St Peter.
But @straight shooter have already raised a few of this administration short comings, and few of the things that have shine a international spotlight on Antigua,so I’ll leave it at that.
But continue with your narrative that your government is innocent in the state Antigua is right now.. 😂. You have just given the people something else to laugh at. 🤣
Did the UPP filed a case in New York federal district court? You people really think we are stupid. Deal with the buyer and not the opposition. I have never seen Gaston and his administration going all out like this to defend an accusation. Am I smelling a dead rat ? SMH!
Have you noticed you are the only one putting your career at risks. Hope you’re not thinking you can step in for the P.M anyone that see something and don’t say something cannot be trusted.Everyone saw how wrong this whole thing was going no one said nothing, now the blame is going on the UPP they wasn’t sitting at the table.
This is getting tired. This narrative is already backfiring and gaining more and more traction in favor of UPP.