Antigua Labour Party to be revamped says Bird

Jeremy (left) and Michael in better times

Browne (left), Joseph (center) and Michael

Lester Bird
Photos: Norman 'Gus' Thomas

by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Special Regional Correspondent

Saturday, January 1, 2005

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: The political leader of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) Lester Bird has announced that the revamping of the organization that held the reigns of government in the twin-island unitary state for some 28 years, until a convincing 12-4 defeat by the coalition United Progressive Party (UPP) on March 23 last year.

According to a news report on the popular Observer Radio, Bird revealed during an exclusive interview that "the Antigua Labour Party need to go to a convention and seek what it is that the people in the Labour Party want."

Bird noted that the party's constitution needs to be amended, adding, "There are aspects of it which needs to tightened up and to revamp the Labour Party and in a sense modernize it, concentrating on the constituency branches as the core."

Bird said it was evident that the people of Antigua and Barbuda needed a change, saying nothing of the turmoil brewing within the party.

Some 18 months ago, Bird ended up heading a minority government when the ALP Parliamentarian for the St. Peter's Constituency, Longford Jeremy, decided to resign from the government calling for the head of former Chief off Staff and former Junior Finance Minister, Asot Michael. One senior ALP member, told Caribbean Net News that two other Ministers in the former ALP administration were on the verge of quitting as a result of Michael's conduct. 

Jeremy who rejoined the party following Michael's forced resignation, has consistently accused Michael of destroying the ALP, saying that Michael wielded "too much power" and alleged that several uncomplimentary remarks and threatening statements were made against former ALP Ministers Molwyn Joseph and current ALP Parliamentarian Gaston Browne. 

Caribbean Net News understands that the party faithful are anxiously awaiting the soon-to-be-held convention which would allow for a new way for the party to do things. In the meantime, a reliable ALP source has revealed that ALP Parliamentarian Gaston Browne will be making a bid for the leadership for the party in the upcoming party convention saying that Browne also intends to restructure, rename and reposition the party by getting rid of the "flunkies"

Bird meantime told Observer Radio that he is trying to keep things together while awaiting the convention for the people to make a decision. He also pointed out that he is also waiting for the people to determine "whether or not I should even continue and then I would have to make a definitive decision as to whether or not I wish to continue."

The former Prime Minister also revealed that the ALP will be providing an "alternative Budget Statement" to that presented on November 30. Bird himself a former Finance Minister, said that as a result of the proposed new taxes in the Cort Budget Statement, "our people will be severely burdened and heavily stressed by high taxes and the reality is that these things will take a serious toll on our community."

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version