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Picket outside PM’s office. Photo by Antigua.news Cory Wayland
This morning, the Opposition United Progressive Party staged a picket outside the office of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, though the turnout was lower than anticipated.
Organizers stated that the message they aimed to convey was nonetheless clear. Notable attendees included Opposition Leader Jamal Pringle, former UPP Leader Harold Lovell, and the representative for St. Mary’s South, joining in protest against the government’s proposed vehicle license fee increases.
Pringle expressed his discontent to Antigua.news, asserting the importance of consultation before implementing such measures. He emphasized that residents are already burdened and cannot afford any additional taxes.
Lovell, on the other hand, refrained from interviews, stating he was present merely to “stand in solidarity” with fellow protesters.
Over the weekend, the government provided clarification regarding the proposed changes. Prime Minister Browne announced that the Cabinet will consider implementing a flat increase of $100 per year for vehicle licenses.
This announcement was made during the Browne and Browne Show on Pointe FM. The Prime Minister indicated that there would be a need to evaluate the cc-rating of vehicles affected by this change.
Browne, who also serves as the finance minister, mentioned that efforts would be made to ease the financial burden on bus and taxi operators to avoid a rise in public transportation costs.
Notably, the proposed 40 percent increase in fees would apply to Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks.
Since the announcement last Thursday, there has been a wave of public concern regarding the significant hike in vehicle licensing fees. However, Prime Minister Browne maintained that his government prioritizes consultation with residents.
The matter is scheduled for discussion in Cabinet next Wednesday, ahead of a meeting of Parliament’s Lower House the following day.
The usual suspects (delusional UPP sycophants) showed up. The usual small turnout. What a surprise!
Antigua people are not foolie. Everyone is aware that the Prime Minister has committed to make adjustments after directly engaging with the people. Picketing a measure that is not finalized is yet another new height to UPP stupidity and was soundly rejected by an intelligent public.
If the new arrangement announced after Cabinet meets is unsatisfactory that would be another matter. It was utterly foolish for Hitler Isaac and Puppet Pringle to pretend there was no response to the people’s concerns in their desperate attempt to get some “noticement”.
Baldwin Spencer must be sick to his stomach watching the UPP flushing down the political toilet.
“TAX THE POOR AND GIVE TO THE RICH”!!!! See what dumb asses we allow ourselves to become under UPP leadership! Are the rich exempt from this increase?. The person carrying this poster correctly hid her/his face out of shame. Antiguans and sensible Barbudans, wake up! Stop allowing ancient relics like Lovell, Simon, Alister, Goodwin, de Jezebe, Bowenl and Symister along with the tried and rejected Quinns, defreitas, Johnathan, serpents, Wehners, little black boys and the eager, not-worth-investing-in political mongrels like the almosr assassinated Marsh, the FA reject, the ABUT reject Azille. Keep them out. They have no good intentions for Antigua and Barbuda.
Why can’t you all get along? Politics will be the end of us!
Hello your brown ski n reporter came early and left before the crowd came in..
So.of course he saw a low turn out , reporters who want report the truth knows the best time to count. But of course that is not in the best interest of this news site
@Shelly. I saw the live ended late. How much later you expected the people to stand in the hot sun and watch the same suspects act like asses? At least they were smart enough to know when the show is over. You should also. I didn’t see this on Observer. You mean they decided not to come? So the website who doesn’t care about this news came and you bitching? Can’t please you UPP idiots. Remain in the dog house where you belong. You will never make it in the “real house:. While you ranting about who came and what they reported the new training school was being commissioned. And did I senxe a racial touch? Browne skin? Stay in the delta. You belong there.
Seems like the reporters skin color trumps the news…. interesting.
If people wanted to be there they would have from the start, that is the most important time.
Maybe shelly should have stopped him from leaving if they knew people would turn out.
Antigua Surf signing on, cause its almost as if shelly was more focused on the brown skin reporter than her purpose at the protest. However you should’ve commended the reporter for being on time, when you goons are out there acting like a fool as if Gaston Browne will even bother to study yall. Why didn’t you go live and show Antigua the 50 that waas at the protest. If you know about reporting and the media circle, you will know in antigua its never one place to go or stay, he has an office to return to in order to write a story so the government can hear your foolish cry.
I am not surprised about the turnout. Maybe you all should used some other strategy because it is clear this one doesn’t work.
To the BROWN SKIN reporter props to you for being ON TIME.
@shelly you sure this is what you wanted to say because your comment is missing ALLLLL of the essence. Seems like you were more focused on the BROWN SKIN reporter than what was going on.
We must all unite and protest together.
the government need to consider how these increases will affect everyday people things are already so hard jack
the thing is its interesting that the turnout was lower than expected it could be that people wasn’t that motivated to turn out on the other hand the people every time there’s a election cycle expect protest
Browne skin girllllll in Beyonce’s voice. lol Aye…But Bique Charles is a dark skin girl. Unless she bleached. Which Browne Skin Reporter yall ah talk bout now? Wait. So real people work here? I thought it was AI all the time…..woiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. Anyway BiGUP Browne Skin Girl….
The outcome of this benefits each and everyone of us. I wish the PM will reconsider that steep increase