ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended his practice of giving money to individuals at public events, saying it reflects a personal obligation to help people rather than any improper conduct.
Speaking at the joint Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) and Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Labour Day rally, Browne acknowledged that he sometimes gives small sums of money to members of the public who approach him.
“When you see I leave the platform… and they say they want $100, $200… and I give them… I have an obligation to share,” Browne said.
He framed the practice as an expression of care for citizens, rejecting any negative interpretation of the gesture.
“I have an obligation to care… to love the people of this country,” he said.
Browne said his actions are rooted in empathy and his connection to ordinary people, noting that he and members of his administration come from working-class backgrounds.
“We are product of you,” he said, adding that he remains committed to supporting people in tangible ways.
The prime minister’s remarks come amid ongoing political debate about the appropriateness of such gestures in public life.
His comments formed part of a wider Labour Day address in which he outlined policies on wages, working conditions and social support, while reaffirming his administration’s focus on improving the lives of workers and vulnerable groups.
Browne said he will continue to assist people where he can, describing it as part of his responsibility as a leader.
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Bird people sold their birthright, futures, and self-respect for 2 hapenny, pathetic!
Who says the people he gives money to vote for him or the ABLP. If there is no agreement being made as a result of the transfer of money, its unconscionably to say because he is in public office he cannot share or assist persons in need.
Can you imaging someone coming up to him for assistance and he has to say, “Sorry, I cannot help you, because I am the Prime Minister”.
Giving cash to supporters!!!
How on earth is this political manipulation allowed? And the Prime Minister doesn’t see anything wrong with this immoral and devious stratagem!
If we Antiguans do not change our grabby grabby mindset towards freebies for votes, then this country will spiral out of control so fast that the chances of ANY opposition party coming to the forefront because they cannot compete with the growth if a something for nothing culture.
THIS BEGGARS BELIEF!!!
The OECS or any other independent body seriously needs to investigate these types of underhand and manipulative practices.
HOW IS THIS ALLOWED IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY?
Gassy, not so classy… why make jokes about Shuggy? Remember, God is in control—and one day, even your own pants might fall. And I just want to say, no need to call a politician who lost their seat. Remember, this life is just earthly—false wealth. There’s a greater wealth waiting after this one. So enjoy your earthly treasures.
Yeah Right! All of us did not only go to Sunday School. A lot of us went from Monday to Friday and to Classes after normal school hours.
Gassy not so classy for you this is okay … YOU CAN TAKE THE PIG OUT OF THE MUD BUT IT WILL ALWAYS BE A PIG..
Not sure how any right minded person can justify handing out cash and other inducements to voters during the election cycle and define it as anything less than bribery. Offering or receiving cash for votes is a criminal offense in many jurisdictions. Handouts distort election results, favouring those with the deepest pockets rather than the best policies. In all my life I have never seen the election bribery at this level in Antigua and Barbuda before. Money and more for days.
If you read and understand what the pm wrote then you would not be coming with your stupid comment @Brixtonian. Just can’t please you all. If someone ask for assistance and he don’t give you all will say he dont care about the people. Ok then he decides to give and you all still have something to say. I really don’t get it
@
Neutral 268
I now realize you are one of those who went to school on Sundays and inspite of that I do not believe God is pleased with the nonsense you contributed
@Capone, you beat me to it 👍🏾
He doesn’t just give money only, he bribe then with job offers and positions in his administration and government.
From the Spanish to the Jamaicans..everyone gets their hand grease, because that’s the expectation from these people.
Go to Jamaica and see how their culture runs..that’s how people like Dudus Coke and the likes are called heros in their island, the same how these scammers and some of these criminal artist are looked upon as good people and hero’s.
The hypocrisy of this man is astounding at the least..when Viv, a real hero of the Carribean was down a little, what GB did, lambaste him on public radio because the Viv call him out.
I bet if Viv backed him, he GB will give him anything he asked..that’s called election bribery. He can never get the Spanish votes if he doesn’t give out big money and favors to those people, and every one knows it.
That’s why he junk to the defense of Chantels Killer.
Actions have consequences, and even though King David was a man after God’s heart, his actions were still judged harshly by God.
Not because you have won 3 terms in government GB, doesn’t mean your corruption will go unpunished..I keep telling that.
My only hoe is that you spend your good time on the top for the benefit of indigenous Antiguan’s, that’s my hope.
This pass election was a sham..a snap election wasn’t a desperate need for Antigua..your hypocrisy is now showing.
We all know it’s not just no $100-$200 here or there, we know it goes draper and more favorable for the money people in Antigua.
Your promises to them is what gets you their vote.
We all know you are no leader.
Quid quo Pro, that’s what it’s called.if you want to help workers..fight for a living wage and pay them what they actually worked for.
Some people are waiting for over five years for the money they earned, go pay the people and stop bribing people for votes.
Antiguan’s are not jamaican’s..we are not beggy beggy people..so it must be foreigners your giving your little money to, because it couldn’t be Antiguan’s..that’s not our style.
It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.
The electoral commission must act to curtail or stamp this out with charges and prosecution. This is nothing short of bribery.
It’s the same way dogs and pets are trained to be obedient to their masters. One day they’ll turn on you like they did Mussolini in Italy. Money does not buy peace of mind.
But UPP people taking the money too if you all have so much class why u all taking money. Some of you just badminded and wicked. And au greedy and don’t like to help people. Is all those things why people will not vote for you all.
Oh yes, he love the people so much that his personal wealth continues to climb exponentially. Meanwhile, all they get is a small token at election time. I get the feeling that this man now that he has turned his supporters into idiots, feels that the entire country are fools. Funny enough, the results of the election shows that he might be right. They may as well shut down the schools and colleges because we are back to the “bull water” and “fool off” of old.
When Maria Browne people walk about in her constituency during the election asking people what they want, what do you call it. Bribery plain an simple. I know people who were approached.
Both parties five supporters cash … ALP in 2004 election was nothing different and they lost…. UPP did the same thing especially in 2009 I remember people getting duty free left right and center….. UPP just need to accept defeat and stop the crying get over it now….
Are these handouts only done during the election period?
I agree with the PM. You cannot bless somebody then. A A
Call it what you want, but plenty families get a lil ease because of that. That’s real life
The man say he sharing what he have… that sound more human than some of these cold politicians
A so? People only have problem when poor people benefit. If PM give somebody a lil help, that’s not crime… that’s compassion
Why does the care for the people only come during election time? We are not fools. Why! ABLP candidates giving out money during the campaign and then asked to for your ✅votes ✅?
PM if they don’t want them cash handouts send it my way. I could sell do with some monet right now