Beazer pledges Barbuda Wealth Fund, vows to dismantle ‘construct’ of underdevelopment

Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate for Barbuda, Kendra Beazer has pledged to establish a Barbuda Wealth Fund to convert revenues from large-scale investments into long-term benefits for residents, as he addressed a public rally on the sister island ahead of the April 30 general election.

Beazer, who is challenging incumbent Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) Member of Parliament Trevor Walker, positioned his candidacy around what he described as a “renaissance” for Barbuda, framing the contest as a choice between continued opposition-bench representation and a seat at the Cabinet.

“I stand before you tonight not just as a candidate but as a son of the soil of Barbuda,” Beazer told supporters, adding that he had “walked the streets of Barbuda” and “struggled with you in Barbuda.”

The candidate addressed accusations from political rivals that he had switched parties, describing the label “turncoat” as unwarranted and saying he was “standing on principle.”

He said the ABLP was positioned to create what he called “real opportunities for Barbuda and Barbudans.”

Beazer pledged resilient road networks and criticised the current condition of Barbudan roads, which he described as deplorable.

“The time has come for us to dialogue. No longer will we be turning the door. No longer will we be turning our heads,” he said, promising engagement with central government at every level.

The Barbuda Wealth Fund proposal, which Beazer indicated had been developed in discussions with Prime Minister Gaston Browne, would draw on the framework of the Coco Point Trust Fund established in the 1980s.

According to Beazer, the fund would ensure that revenues from developments on the island would be reinvested into Barbudan development rather than dissipating.

“This wealth fund that we’re talking about is to bring that wealth into fruition so that your dreams will not go dead with you,” he told the rally. “Your dreams will become reality.”

The candidate said his platform would prioritise young Barbudans who are not academically inclined, proposing training programmes to provide pathways into skilled trades.

He said the aim was to move Barbuda from what he called a dependent society to an independent one.

Beazer addressed the long-standing land debate in Barbuda directly, claiming that the ABLP is the party fighting to protect land on which Barbudans currently reside.

He argued that freehold titles represented the strongest form of land ownership available to residents.

Beazer also outlined his view on governance structure, saying Barbuda required representation at every decision-making level.

He described the current arrangement as one that has left the island without meaningful input into Cabinet-level decisions affecting its development.