LETTER: Our nation deserves a leader, not a weekly loudspeaker

Published December 9, 2024, 11:49 AM

Dear Editor

It’s time for Prime Minister Gaston Browne to find a more productive weekend hobby. His latest antics—stirring strife within the UPP and suddenly playing “protector” of Jamale Pringle against Richard Lewis—are straight out of the Entertainment Central playbook.

Browne’s behavior is less about leadership and more about playing “top dog,” trying to hoosh (incite) a political dogfight. But the people of Antigua and Barbuda deserve better than petty provocations. With real issues like water shortages, APUA overbilling, and the high cost of living, it’s baffling that Browne chooses propaganda as his weekend pastime.

It’s ironic that the man who claims to champion strong leadership and unity is now resorting to divisive rhetoric to stir up strife within the United Progressive Party (UPP). Browne’s latest attempt to pit Richard Lewis against Jamale Pringle is a transparent distraction from the real issues plaguing the nation.

Instead of focusing on propaganda and political theater, Browne should be addressing the everyday struggles of citizens. Where is the water, Prime Minister? Households and businesses continue to face persistent water shortages. Meanwhile, mounting complaints about APUA’s overbilling practices are draining people’s pockets at a time when the cost of living is already sky-high.

Browne’s accusations against Lewis are both baseless and hypocritical. He claims Lewis is undermining Pringle’s leadership, but in the same breath, he dismisses Pringle as unqualified. If anyone is attempting to weaken the opposition’s image, it’s Browne himself. His words aren’t those of a confident leader but of someone clearly nervous and unsettled.

If Browne were as secure as he claims to be, he wouldn’t need to police the internal dynamics of the UPP.

Perhaps Browne should turn his attention to his own party’s cracks and internal conflicts. It’s no secret that tension exists among his “handmaid” and “altar boys” at Pointe FM. He should focus on cleaning up his own house instead of throwing stones at others.

Leadership is about service, not spectacle. People want results, not rhetoric. Browne should spend less time trying to be a commentator on UPP affairs and more time solving the problems his administration has failed to address — like water, fair billing practices, and transparency. Antiguans and Barbudans deserve better.

From a man who claims he was duped into forming a national airline by two “partners” with more skill in printing than aviation, Browne’s track record speaks for itself. His aggressive attitude hasn’t paid off with investors, as evidenced by the many “ground fakings” that never materialized.

If the Prime Minister wants to talk about “good governance,” he should start by practicing it. His energy would be better spent ensuring citizens have access to basic necessities and holding his administration to a higher standard of accountability.

Until then, his critiques of the opposition amount to nothing more than noise from a leader who seems more afraid of being challenged than of being wrong.

This is no time for sideshows. Antigua and Barbuda needs serious leadership, not a clumsy ringmaster trying to control the circus.

By Kelvin Shugy Simon

This story was first published by Antigua News on December 9, 2024 at 11:49 AM (Antigua time, UTC−4): antigua.news/2024/12/09/letter-our-nation-deserves-a-leader-not-a-weekly-loudspeaker. © 2024 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (4)

Antigua Surf December 9, 2024, 12:07 PM

Gaston is playing on his political train while the people living here in Antigua and Barbuda are suffering. We are being over billed for water while we can never get water. The cost of living keeps going to the skies, these are the real issues that should be addressed. Instead he’s too busy trying to stir trouble within the opposition. Time enough we get some real leadership.
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Stone December 9, 2024, 12:15 PM

Gaston Brown is like a big man who still likes to play dolly house he might be an adult in age but his brain is very much under developed
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Faithful National December 9, 2024, 1:04 PM

And you the amusing critics are mesmerized by his genius, Suffering or not, we the people will not pass up on the gains we have made, to date, than elect an asinine pack of dunce elements of house slaves and black boys! Y’all need to realize that we’re in the 21st century when even the child of a grass cutter has the possibility of acquiring the highest tier of educational qualifications right HERE, right NOW.. You critics are not worthy to even carry PM Browne’s slippers. Get real!
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Concerned Young Citizen December 9, 2024, 4:24 PM

Concerned Young Citizen The recent article penned by a UPP member reeks of desperation, distortion, and a blatant refusal to accept responsibility for their party’s internal collapse. Blaming Prime Minister Gaston Browne for the disarray within the United Progressive Party (UPP) is not just disingenuous but also a clear attempt to distract from the real issue—the UPP’s failure to present itself as a viable alternative to lead Antigua and Barbuda. Let’s be clear: the UPP is not “under attack” by the Prime Minister. The cracks in their party are self-inflicted, caused by weak leadership, poor internal organization, and the mass exodus of its members. When the majority of your team jumps ship, it’s not because of Gaston Browne—it’s because they’ve lost faith in your ability to lead. A party that cannot hold itself together cannot hope to hold together a nation. The Prime Minister’s call for opposition leader Jamale Pringle to equip himself and become more qualified is not “playing politics.” It is a necessary and honest critique. Leadership at the national level requires preparation, competence, and vision—qualities that are glaringly absent in the UPP’s current structure. If calling for higher standards of leadership is seen as an attack, perhaps it’s because the UPP knows it cannot meet those standards. Instead of addressing their shortcomings, the UPP’s response is to deflect and blame. Where is their plan to address the water crisis? Where are their actionable solutions for the cost of living? Where is their vision for a better Antigua and Barbuda? Criticizing the government is easy; providing real alternatives is the challenge they continue to fail. The article accuses the Prime Minister of focusing on propaganda while conveniently ignoring the fact that UPP’s entire narrative has been built on attacking Gaston Browne rather than presenting concrete solutions. When last has the UPP discussed policies or programs to improve the lives of Antiguans and Barbudans? Their focus remains on tearing down, not building up. It’s also ironic to hear the UPP accuse the Prime Minister of divisive rhetoric when their own members have been openly at odds with each other. Richard Lewis and Jamale Pringle’s leadership tensions are well-documented, and these issues existed long before Gaston Browne pointed them out. Blaming the Prime Minister for internal UPP conflicts is not just hypocritical—it’s laughable. Let’s talk about accountability. Prime Minister Browne has been transparent in addressing national issues, from water management to economic development, even amidst global challenges. His administration has delivered results in areas like tourism recovery, foreign direct investment, and infrastructure development. The UPP, meanwhile, remains a party of criticism without contribution—a hollow echo chamber of complaints. Antigua and Barbuda deserves a strong opposition that can challenge the government with ideas and solutions, not one that throws tantrums and shifts blame. The UPP’s inability to step up as a credible alternative is the real failure here—not Gaston Browne’s leadership. If the UPP truly wants to contribute to national progress, they should focus on rebuilding their party, uniting their fractured leadership, and presenting policies that resonate with the people. Until then, they remain a party at the brink of irrelevance, grasping at straws to stay afloat. Antiguans and Barbudans deserve a government and opposition that work for them. Gaston Browne’s leadership may not be perfect, but at least he is leading. The UPP, on the other hand, continues to flounder in self-inflicted chaos. The real question is not why the Prime Minister critiques the UPP—it’s why the UPP refuses to rise to the challenge.
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