PM Browne Accuses UPP MPs of Seeking Concessional Land Deals
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has alleged that United Progressive Party (UPP) parliamentarians recently sought prime land at heavily discounted rates, despite being in opposition. Speaking publicly, Browne stated that following the last parliamentary session, UPP members convened and expressed interest in acquiring land overlooking the Royalton Antigua Resort at a concessional rate of just $3 per square foot.
According to Browne, the government rejected the request, stating that the land is earmarked for development and that there was no legal obligation to sell it at such a low price. He criticized the opposition members for what he described as an attempt to secure personal benefits while still outside of government.
“They’re not government yet, and they’re fighting for land at $3 per square foot—land that could be worth $10 per square foot. If they get into government, are they going to try to get it for 10 cents?” Browne questioned.
The Prime Minister further suggested that certain UPP members, including St. George MP Algernon “Serpent” Watts, were attempting to secure property before the next general election, implying a lack of confidence in their re-election prospects.
Browne also referenced past land sales, noting that Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle previously obtained land at a concessional rate. He implied that other opposition members were now attempting to secure similar deals before any potential change in political fortunes.
“They are exhibiting greed even before they get power,” Browne remarked. “If they’re fighting so viciously now, what will they do if they actually get into office?”
The Prime Minister also accused UPP figures of internal conflict over political positioning, arguing that their competition for influence within the party could be detrimental to their prospects.
The UPP has not yet publicly responded to Browne’s claims.
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If this is true, it raises serious questions about the opposition’s priorities. Are they really fighting for the people or for personal gain?
This is exactly why we need transparency in land distribution. No politician should be able to get land at a concessional rate while the average citizen struggles.
The Prime Minister should provide evidence of these alleged land requests. Otherwise, this sounds like another political distraction.
It’s ironic that the UPP members want land at $3 per square foot while they criticize government land deals. Hypocrisy much?
If they are fighting over land before they even get into power, imagine what they would do if they actually formed the government.
Wasn’t Pringle also given land at a concessional rate? Why is the PM only talking about this now?
Whether it’s UPP or ABLP, politicians should not get preferential land deals. The land should be sold at fair market value to everyone.
This is a serious allegation. Will the UPP respond to these claims, or will they stay silent?
The fact that the PM even considered allocating land to Serpent before shows that both parties benefit from these sweetheart deals.
If they were truly confident about winning the next election, why the rush to grab land now?
Political greed is nothing new, but it’s disappointing to see it happening even before an election is called.
Will the Prime Minister also disclose all land deals given to his own MPs and supporters?
This is why people lose faith in politics. Both sides seem more interested in themselves than the country.
The government should release an official list of all politicians and the land they have acquired over the years.
Browne loves to call out the opposition, but his government has been involved in plenty of questionable land deals too.
This is why land allocation should be handled by an independent commission, not politicians.
UPP MPs have a lot to answer for if this is true. Let’s see if they deny it or justify it.
Why do politicians always get land deals while ordinary citizens can’t even get a small plot without endless bureaucracy?
If Serpent and others were hiking around looking for land, were they also planning to develop it, or was this just an investment for personal gain?
Both parties are guilty of this kind of behavior. The real issue is that the people get left behind while politicians secure land for themselves.
Oh, what a tangled web these men do weave, when first they seek to plunder whilst they grieve! Before the crown be placed upon their heads, they do divide the spoils as though ‘tis theirs. What manner of governance shall they bestow, if greed doth lead their steps e’en now? Verily, a kingdom built on self alone shall crumble ere the cock doth crow.
all dem things ah gwarn in de country, and alll dem UPP politicians can study bout iz getting land grab. Serpent don hab plenty government land fi agriculture dat him nah use, so why him so GREEDY & wan mo cheap land??? Dem blue koolaid drinkers not go see nothing wrong wit dis. POLI-TRIX is evil and all fu self
“I’m the pot calling the kettle black”
Only ALP MP’s alone fu get concessional land deals?
So what? Only ALP MP’s fu get concessionsal land deals? How much aru done tek inna Barbuda?
Ghe me a break ghe me a break — break me off a piece of that kit Kat bar!
But Gaston has a cash register where his heart should be 😂
Every body knows its a one time shot to get something some of them don’t have their own homes so now it’s a quick hussle to get a house or a piece of land to flip so I can make a raise and build my house because next election I am in the dog house ,citizen again so it’s normal human behavior to grab as much as I can to get something but at the same time use uour discretion don’t full your belly to vomit