By Aabigayle McIntosh
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed disapproval of the conduct exhibited by National Hero and Cricketing Legend Sir Vivian Richards, deeming it inconsistent with a man of his stature.
Additionally, Browne has offered counsel to Sir Vivian, urging him to maintain a position of neutrality in the realm of politics.
Browne addressed the issue on Saturday, citing an incident from the previous week, during which he clarified that he harbors no animosity towards the Master Blaster.
“I stand my ground, the issue is last week I was not hostile to Sir Viv, Senator Colin Browne would have shared that Sir Viv has shown hostility to you saying that you are no longer a Buffalo soldier because you are a member of the Labour Party
“I would have heard him when he attacked Comrade Lamin because he switched allegiance, I did not hear from him when Dr Errol Cort switched. I am also fully aware that he used to call me a crazy man when he was at Antigua Recreation Grounds with his friends several people reported it to me,” Browne said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that, despite the aforementioned issues, it has not influenced his perspective on Sir Viv or his dedication to safeguarding and enhancing the cricketing legend’s legacy. He highlighted his efforts to uphold the living legend’s heritage, citing Sir Viv’s recent nomination to appear on the $2 commemorative note issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and his nomination for a Caricom Award.
Browne said Sir Viv should instead rise above the political fray and remain humble.
For PM Browne to be requesting that Sir Viv Richards be neutral in the political affairs of Antigua and Barbuda is ridiculous and frankly is a sign of political weakness. Why should Sir Viv or any other luminary not be free to express their own political and class biases and positions about the evolving issues in Antigua an Barbuda? Is it PM Browne’s fear that his popularity will sway sections of the population against he and his party?Shouldn’t the latter be an incentive for the PM and his political competitors to develop vibrant political, cultural social and economic platforms to address the burning issues of the people of Antigua and Barbuda? Wouldn’t that be more important rather than worrying about Viv Richards political loyalties or neutrality?
Why are our political leaders so immersed in trivialities rather than focusing on the issues that matter to our peoples such as poverty, income-wealth inequalities, access to quality health care, housing and education, crime among others?
☮️☮️