Antigua and Barbuda continues to prepare to enter into another electoral cycle.
Much is at stake. With a multitude of global pressures and external geo-political tensions unfolding simultaneously, the effects and ramifications on islands such as ours will be significant.
This necessitates strong leadership, and a solid understanding of both national and international issues. A comparison of both of the major political parties in antigua and Barbuda presents a stark and obvious difference.
The antigua and Barbuda labor party enters into their upcoming convention with their leader, Prime Minister the Honorable Gaston Browne being unnoposed and bouyed by major improvements and advancements within tourism, with a number of major hotels being opened and set to be open within the coming months.
We have seen antigua and Barbuda enter into the conference hosting industry, which will have economic benefits for the country amd strengthen our reputation internationally.
We have seen increased access to education through UWI five islands and the amalgamation of various tertiary institutions locally to form ABCAS.
We have seen civil servants enjoy consistent increases in salary, to keep pace with cost of living, and we have seen a transformation in terms of the number of houses being built and subsidised for the people of antigua and Barbuda, especially low income earners, to access. These are just a few achievements.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the United Progressive Party. In their 10 years of governance from 2004- 2014, their main achievements were centered on putting social protection programs in place.
Although this is a positive thing and has its place in national development, not much else was achieved by them.
Furthermore, the financing of these social protection programs were not sustainable, as they lacked the foresight to ensure broader macroeconomic plans were focused on generating income through stratgeic investments or policy decisions, that would generate enough money to both support these programs, and also to ween people off of the support after a while, so as to not perpetuate dependence and poverty.
In terms of the state of the UPP party currently, there has been an exodus of major players within the party over the years.
The leadership is seen nationally as incompetent.
The party is seen as full of conflict and chaos, and overall, the public sentiment is that if the leadership of the party cannot manage party affairs effectively, how can they manage the country, at a time when there is global instability, with implications for our development also being a relevant consideration.
Governance is serious business. The choice for the electorate should be clear. Vote for continuity. Vote for performance. Vote for stability. Let’s make the right choice.
– Timmy Macholet
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This is not news Present for what it is. This is a ABLP promotional article masquerading as an editorial.
Yes. Governance is serious business. But corruption is lethal.
Its political articles like this bring that dumbs down the country.
Blah, Blah, Blah and more Blah from Gaston Browne under another name .or one of his sycophants. I still would prefer a leader I can trust any day over a CHARLATAN who only cares about himself, family and those who stick around for crumbs
@Visionay – So Pringle is the leader you can trust? Cause he not ready!
This article should have been titled “Government of Antigua & Barbuda vs UPP”! How does one compare the accomplishments of a Governing party (in power) with state resourceswith a party without? It was mentioned that the social programs introduced in 2004-2014 were not sustainable, yet they are still operating today. The good merits of said programs still hold true 12 years later. The Government will do what it can with what is available or perhaps intend to do. It is my belief that the decade of UPP is the foundation on which Antigua & Barbuda is today. Because why the constant comparison of UPP’s 10 years against Labour Party (ALP & ABLP) 45 years? A better and fairer … ALP vs ABLP. Now that would be an interesting read!!
Dah! The difference between ALP and the UPP is that ALP thief ,
And UPP too honest so the the Syrian family that control all government contract procurement don’t like upp because they won’t get to rip off the country.
But with ALP ANTIGUA and Barbuda sellout to the Syrian and Chinese and white people.
What is the rush to have a general election now. Our election mandate is 5 years and I personally would have preferred that the incumbent government use up their full 5 year term or at least very very close to it – like 4.5 years to 4.75 years. The country is doing well economically. However, there are a number of issues that needs to be addressed. The roads , the promised water supply and the ever growing concerns on crimes. We just had a double murder in the constituency of the PM and another in All Saints. Not to mention the many unsolved murders to include the white lady in All Saints as well. Then there is the problem of the drug abuse and the amount of young men we are losing to mental health.
The government is to be solely blamed for the amount of young boys in the mental home and walking on the street like Zumbies.
Pm you are entering another election with the youth of Villa having no where to play football and cricket. You took away one and turned it into customs Vechicle holding. One of the few playfields in Antigua that had seating facility. Then the Villa park next door has been in a state of disrepair from since the last election. It is a fact that when young people have proper sporting facilities to release their energy they do better in all aspects of their lives. Sports breeds unity and conflict resolution. Same with Bolands field- you started a foundation there during the by-election two are three years ago and the very day of the voting all worked stopped. This is another reason why you should use up your full mandate and complete these projects. It is sad to be asking people to come out and cast their votes in such a short time without fixing these problems or promises and there is ample time to fix them. Look at the state of All Saints Road. Chet , Cutie and Anthony Smith do you guys think your constituents should be going to vote for you with a road like that and again you have ample time to fix it. It is a shame !
Catching the opposition as you call it with their pants down might be true. However if you are as skilled as you claim you are and I do believe you are , then you should use up the full 5 years mandate.
I don’t care about no opposition at this time, take note. They are not ready for an election. That is not my concern because I am one of those people that do believe you Gaston Alphanso Brown has the talent, the ability, the wisdom and the fortitude to accomplish these and more during your 5years mandate. No new mandate will help anything.
So I am calling on you to reconsider and prove your worth.
It is now my belief that we now need election reform and a set date. Since you are taking advantage of this loophole in the constitution. If was not meant to be used this way.
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