ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Prime Minister Gaston Browne was sworn into office on Friday for a fourth consecutive term as the head of government, a few hours after he led his ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to a convincing victory in the May 30 general election.
Browne, who called the election nearly two years ahead of the constitutional deadline, along with the Attorney General, Steadroy “Cuttie” Benjamin, took their oaths of office before Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and the other victorious ABLP candidates.
According to the figures released by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC), the ABLP won 15 of the 17 seats in the Parliament, with the other two shared by the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM). Just over 62.5% of the electorate voted.
“That was a resounding victory. People spoke, and they spoke with clarity. They spoke resoundingly, and we’re very happy with the mandate that was given to us,” Browne said after he was sworn in, adding, “but with that mandate comes increased responsibility, and it’s a responsibility that we will certainly honour.
“We’ll make sure that we continue to deliver for the people of Antigua and Barbuda. In fact, in terms of my own commitment, the fact that I was given a fourth term as prime minister, that in itself is a humbling experience, and that has served now to even strengthen my commitment to fight even harder for the people of Antigua and Barbuda and to deliver more for them.
“So the people of Antigua and Barbuda will be seeing accelerated growth and development, accelerated infrastructural development, so the roadworks, the waterworks that we have started will be accelerated until we substantially resolve the water and road problems,” Browne said, thanking members of the population “for their patience, because we knew that water and roads were serious issues.
“But I think they recognise that the trajectory in which we are now, that the best institution to resolve those issues is the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, and I think, too, they recognise my personal commitment to continue to drive the process of development and to make sure that we continue to improve the living standards of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”
Browne said that when the other members of the Cabinet will be named on Tuesday, there will be familiar faces “because a number of them are handling significant projects, and we want to ensure there’s continuity.
“So, for example, I’d want to ensure that we have Minister (Daryll S) Matthew in Education to continue the expansion … We certainly want to maintain Minister Chet Green as the Minister of Foreign Affairs because, as you know, a significant amount of planning has gone into the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference scheduled for November and to put in a new minister at this time, I don’t think that is advisable.”
He also said that his wife, Maria Browne would continue to hold the portfolio of Minister of Public Works, saying she has demonstrated the capacity to manage multiple projects across various constituencies.
He said some of the new elected candidates will obviously have to go through a period of training as junior ministers until they can graduate to become senior ministers.
“Again, we don’t want to have a bloated government by having all senior ministers. We will have some junior ministers, again, as a form of training and development so that they, too, can blossom into senior ministers eventually and to better serve the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”
Earlier, Browne, who has been receiving congratulatory messages from his CARICOM leaders and others, said he was thankful to God for the victory.
“To God be the glory. Great things he has done,” he said, as he also thanked “the people of Antigua and Barbuda for their strong support and for their resounding success that we’ve enjoyed in the recently concluded general elections.
“You have spoken with clarity, you have spoken resoundingly, and you would have certainly spoken with truth, and in essence would have put to shame all of the lies that have been peddled, all of the disinformation, all of the misinformation, all of the vitriolic rhetoric.”
Browne called for responsible politics in building a new Antigua and Barbuda, saying “I’m hoping that with such a resounding victory that there will be a new dispensation going forward.
“I’m hoping that our politics will become more civil. I’m hoping that politicians on both sides of the aisle will stand on the truth, because at the end of the day, the misinformation, disinformation, the falsities, they are literally eroding the fabric of our society, and they are destroying our country.”
He reminded the ceremony that Antigua and Barbuda is part of the global village, and whenever these falsities are spread, “they go far beyond the shores of Antigua and Barbuda, and the others in the international community who would not know otherwise, who will have a very dim view of our country and its people…
“So, I’m hoping going forward that we will see greater loyalty to our state and its people, and that politicians should understand that misinformation, disinformation, and falsities, they only thrive for a short period of time. Ultimately, the truth will prevail.”
Browne said he believes what “has happened during this electoral cycle” did not resonate with the body politics “and as a consequence, our opponents … fared extremely badly.
“I would say that, having served in opposition, that I practise responsible politics, and I believe as a consequence that my own credibility within the domestic society would have grown. And I think that UPP should take note and to use this opportunity to reform, because at the end of the day, we want to have a strong opposition.
“We do not necessarily want to have a weak opposition. We want individuals who have the competence to continue to hold us accountable. But having said that, you know, when I reflected on the 15-2 mandate that we’ve gotten, it is a humbling experience, and especially considering that you have given me an unprecedented fourth term as prime minister. It is extremely humbling, and it will serve to strengthen my resolve to better serve you, because ultimately, it’s about you.
“It’s about your empowerment, and I give you a commitment that I will work harder, that I will do all in my power to continue to work unrelentingly to advance the living standards of the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Browne said, adding that the results provide a “great opportunity for us to unite our nation, and to work towards improving all aspects of our development going into the future”.
He also said he would personally take responsibility to make sure that each member of the cabinet honours the trust placed in them, “and I can assure you that if it is betrayed, certainly will not be tolerated.
“I will not go as far as threatening. So, it is important for those who will be appointed within the cabinet to understand that they will be appointed exclusively to serve the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Not to discriminate against anyone, not to undermine anyone, not to divide a country, not to steal public resources, but to be good stewards of public resources and to make sure that every cent of public resources is utilised for the development of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”
