Prime Minister Gaston Browne has acknowledged that former UPP PRO Damani Tabor, despite his past actions, can still play a role in Antigua and Barbuda’s development if he continues to speak the truth about critical issues.
Browne, in a recent statement on Pointe FM, suggested that Tabor’s recent admissions about his time with the UPP – particularly about land ownership in Barbuda – position him to make a meaningful contribution to the country by “speaking truth to power.”
Based on PM Browne’s statement, Tabor who has recently distanced himself from the UPP, revealed that he was instructed by his former party to lie about the true nature of Barbuda’s land tenure system, knowing full well that the Crown owns the land.
Browne expressed some sympathy for Tabor, understanding that he was simply doing his job at the time but now applauds his honesty. “Tabor can be helpful to the entire country by speaking truth to power,” Browne stated, using a mix of humor and respect to acknowledge Tabor’s changing role.
The Prime Minister went on to criticize the UPP’s past campaign of disinformation, which included spreading false claims that his administration was “stealing” land in Barbuda. Browne noted that Tabor’s revelations dismantle this narrative, showing that even within the opposition, there was an acknowledgment that the land was under Crown ownership, despite the party’s public rhetoric.
Browne also responded to Tabor’s remarks about his leadership style, particularly Tabor’s claim that Browne had become more focused after the last election. The Prime Minister rejected the notion that he was ever unfocused, explaining that he strategically chose to disengage from UPP attacks post-election. “I was always focused,”
Browne said, noting that the opposition’s constant barrage of lies and personal attacks no longer warranted his attention. He referenced several of the falsehoods spread about him, including claims of FBI investigations and extravagant sums of money, which he believes have since lost credibility with the public.
As major government projects such as the Paradise Found Hotel and Barbuda’s airport take shape, Browne remarked that the progress has proven his government’s seriousness about development. These tangible results, he believes, have rendered the opposition’s previous accusations meaningless.
While Prime Minister Browne took the opportunity to highlight his administration’s successes, he left the door open for Tabor to contribute to the nation’s future, provided he remains truthful. This marks a potential turning point for the former UPP spokesperson, who could transition from a purveyor of political spin to a voice for transparency and development.
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Now it has always been the position held by the UPP to support the Barbudan people and the communal land tenure. Yes the courts ruled that all lands within the state of Antigua and Barbuda are crown lands. Which is against the people of Barbuda the rightful owners wishes. So these is moral rights and legal rights. So if a 60 year old , engage in sexual activities with a 16 year old , isn’t that legally? Is it morally acceptable?
You live with your parents until old age and take care of them until death. Your siblings never looked back, probably moved away and never contributed to the care of the parents that took care of them and even sent them away to study. At the death of that parent they return for the funeral and after set about to seek their share of the property. The court is obligated to rule in their favor that a portion of the property belongs to them in the absence of a Will. This is morally wrong but legally correct.
So it is my view that the people of Barbuda morally owns the lands , however as a member of a unitary state , all lands are crown.
So after the hurricane the Barbudan were evacuated to Antigua. Immediately after the clearing of thousands of acres began by the central government. P took hold of the prime beach front lands. P owners loan to the government millions of dollars, without going through the parliament and declaring. P finance the APLP election campaign. All of this is to use the crown to give them Barbuda lands or as Tabor rightfully use to suggest, Hijack Barbuda lands.
P is now making millions on a single parcel of the Barbuda people lands. Can you imagine the slave master/ privy council ruling that the lands are legally crown. That the Guy from point, who no Barbudan voted for, can unilaterally make decisions on their land. Yes this is legally correct but morally wrong.