“Put the nation first” pastor reproaches politicians

Pastor Clement Joseph, speaking during the Independence Church Service at the St John’s Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sunday, told politicians in the country to unite and put Antigua & Barbuda first.

In a rousing delivery, he said over the years he has observed a trend which needs to be corrected.

“When UPP is in power, the UPP politicians come to the national service and all of their supporters. When ALP is in power, the ALP politicians come to the national service and all of their supporters. That should not be,” he said.

“As a matter of fact, if any politician stays away from the national service because of some political issue, don’t come to my house; And I have eight votes in my house.”

Speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer, and UPP Political Leader Harold Lovell,  Pastor Clement said the nation had a great opportunity but it would require putting the nation first.

“What we need more than ever in this nation, what we need more than politicians are leaders. Politicians look towards the next election, leaders look toward the next generation,” he said to much applause.

“I am hoping that we will find leaders in our politicians, those who will sit in the upper (chamber) and those who sit in the lower. I am hoping that we will find individuals who don’t only look for the present but those who will look for the future.”

Pastor Clement rhetorically asked what the next generation will think of the leaders today and if they would find the healthcare, infrastructure and sporting facilities adequate.

Referenceing the 36th anniversary of Independence theme “Unite to Rebuild” the pastor called for unity in the nation.

“If we are going to make this nation great we have to say we are not going to allow our distinctiveness to stand in the way of unity for the advancement of this country.

“We have got to lay aside our political differences. We cannot allow unity to die at the grave side of political indifference…at the graveside of our own individual greed and gain and selfishness.”

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