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Antigua Labour Party needs new and young leadership, says former press secretary

Thursday, February 3, 2005

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands: "Quite frankly, I am of the view that Lester Bird should really remove himself from the political battlefield."

That's the view of Norman 'Gus' Thomas, who himself served as Press Attaché to Lester Bird during his two terms in office as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

Bird's Antigua Labour Party (ALP) suffered a humiliating defeat when the party lost 12-4 to the three-party coalition under the heading United Progressive Party (UPP) led by Trade Unionist W. Baldwin Spencer.

"There is no doubt that Lester has done a great job in the political life of Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean by extension. His contribution is outstanding.

However, he is advanced in age and I firmly believe that the electorate was sending both himself and the ALP a message on the 23rd of March 2004, when they voted the party out of office."

Speaking from his office in the Cayman Islands, the veteran Caribbean journalist said that Bird should turn over the party to younger blood, as the country is awash with dynamic and well educated individuals who can also make a great contribution to nation building.

"It would not be fair to the young political aspirants within the party if the old boys stayed there and stifled the growth and further development of the party.

If we look at the situation in Jamaica, we see where Edward Seaga has been accused of stifling the growth of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). We all know the situation that developed with him and Golding. Lester should move over, and make room for others."

In addressing the issue of respect for Bird as a former Prime Minister and leader of the party, Thomas disagreed with that line of thinking.

"That's balderdash. I do not for one moment think that Lester Bird is not respected. People adore that man. But we must face reality. Lester is an old man who is really not quite well. Those hangers on who I'm told are pushing him to run once more are killing him faster and they ought to know better."

Thomas also indicated that there are several young leaders in the party, who if given a chance and good grooming, can make a great contribution.

Thomas, a former Voice of America Correspondent, General Manager of the Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS Radio) and Press Attaché to the former Prime Minister was quizzed on news reports out of St. John's, where Leader of the Parliamentary Minority, Robin Yearwood, announced that he is the campaign manager for Bird who he said will be in the leadership race when the party holds it convention slated for early April.

"There is young Gail Christian an upcoming lawyer, there is Daven Joseph, there is Terry Ephraim, and there is also Gaston Browne, who comes with a wealth of experience. He has served as minister of government, headed a banking group including an offshore bank, so the party has young leaders that can and should be allowed to lead. I think Lester Bird and the older ones who have served well in the past, should now take up the job of coaching the new leaders and return the party to his lost days of glory."

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