PM Browne and Minister Anthony Smith at All Saints West Townhall meeting
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has disclosed that former United Progressive Party (UPP) Member of Parliament for All Saints West, Anthony Smith, penned his resignation letter at the Prime Minister’s own home.
Speaking during last night town hall meeting, Browne clarified that he never pressured Smith to leave the UPP but instead extended an invitation for him to work collaboratively with the government.
“I never asked Anthony Smith to leave his party. What I did was offer him a seat at the table — an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development,” Browne stated.
The Prime Minister described Smith as a young politician with “good ambitions” and said he had long recognized his potential.
“I always had my eye on Anthony Smith. He struck me as someone who wanted to do good for his community and country,” Browne added.
Smith’s departure from the opposition sent ripples through the political landscape. 24 hours after his resignation, he was appointed minister of agriculture.
He serves as an independent candidate but is expected to contest the All Saints West seat on an ABLP ticket in the next general elections, constitutionally due in 2028.
So if its about nation building and giving young people a chance, why did you have to leave his party to get to be able to do so. The same collaboration couldnt have been extended??
How do you think the party would have reacted had he stayed but accepted a government ministry? They would have had the same reaction that they have now
No one’s buying the ‘wasn’t pressured’ story. Timing says more than words ever could.So he resigns one day and becomes a minister the next? That’s not collaboration , that’s choreography.
So much happening behind closed doors. The public deserves answers.
Politics in Antigua never fails to surprise That kind of move is bound to spark plenty of speculation and debate.
How convienent you wrote a letter od resignation at the house of the PM lol
Anthony Smith always look like he done fed up with UPP long time. He just finally make the move
Can’t lie, Browne bold fi talk dat publicly. But me like the transparency….Antigua politics does need more ah dat
At least the PM being honest about it. Some ah dem woulda hide that kind of thing. Politics sweet bad inna Antigua
He needed motivation from gaston to write his letter. Im wondering af what point gaston chimed in and room the pen
Boy Anthoby, U can’t say nobody did warn U about Gastin. He nah kip nothing confidential once he see U say what U should have said long. That U r now in the labour party. Talking bout independent. Gaston just trow U under d bus n done U. Think before U act see. Gassy nah even lub who round he.
I think this was just blatantly stupid. Anthony Smith is already facing a difficult time after betraying thousands of people. To now publicly admit that the man was fraternizing with the enemy in this way is unconscionable. I always hold the opinion that Gaston Brown is an idiot. This only exacerbated an already bad situation