Prime Minister Gaston Browne with supporters
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pushed back strongly against criticism of his practice of giving money to citizens, insisting that such gestures are acts of compassion, not corruption.
Addressing the issue head-on during his Labour Day speech, Browne rejected suggestions that distributing cash publicly amounts to vote-buying or bribery.
“When I give them $100, $200… I am not bribing anybody. I have an obligation to share,” he said.
The Prime Minister framed the practice as a moral responsibility rooted in his connection to the people.
“I have an obligation to care. I have an obligation to love the people of this country,” Browne added.
The remarks come in the wake of heightened political debate following the recent general election, where opposition voices have raised concerns about the influence of financial assistance on voters.
Browne, however, dismissed those claims, emphasizing that his actions are driven by empathy and solidarity with the working class.
“We are products of you… that is why we will continue to share the little we have with you,” he said.
The statement is likely to fuel ongoing debate, with critics expected to question the optics and implications of such public gestures, while supporters view them as evidence of a leader who remains connected to ordinary citizens.
Regardless, Browne made it clear that he has no intention of changing course, positioning generosity as a defining feature of his leadership.
Are these handouts only done during the election period?
I agree with the PM. You cannot bless somebody then. A A
Call it what you want, but plenty families get a lil ease because of that. That’s real life
The man say he sharing what he have… that sound more human than some of these cold politicians
A so? People only have problem when poor people benefit. If PM give somebody a lil help, that’s not crime… that’s compassion
Why does the care for the people only come during election time? We are not fools. Why! ABLP candidates giving out money during the campaign and then asked to for your ✅votes ✅?
Hi