Prime Minister Gaston Browne in Parliament on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has sharply criticized the opposition’s decision to walk out of Tuesday’s joint sitting of Parliament after Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle was ordered to leave the chamber for failing to take the oath of allegiance.
Browne, speaking to ABS following the Throne Speech delivered by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, described the opposition’s actions as “ridiculous” and accused its members of displaying “dunce leadership.”
“This lack of cooperation is just ridiculous, and they’re conducting themselves like a bunch of dunces,” Browne said bluntly.
The Prime Minister defended the ruling made by Senate President Alincia Williams-Grant, insisting that the Constitution clearly requires every member participating in formal parliamentary proceedings to first take the oath of allegiance.
“You can’t on one hand say you understand that the Constitution precludes you from participating and then say ‘but.’ There is no ‘but.’ The Constitution is the ultimate authority,” Browne declared.
He maintained that opposition members were informed privately before the sitting began in an effort to avoid publicly embarrassing Pringle.
“They spoke to him privately before the Parliament because they didn’t want to embarrass him publicly. He refused to cooperate,” Browne said.
The Prime Minister also argued that the opposition had no grounds to stage a dramatic walkout, noting that no discriminatory treatment had occurred.
“At least they could have said, ‘Okay, the Leader of the Opposition missed it.’ But they had no basis to walk out because no discriminatory decision was taken against him,” he stated.
Browne pointed to the absence of the Barbuda representative as proof that others understood the constitutional limitations.
“There is a reason why the member for Barbuda is not here, because he understood that in order to participate, he would have had to take the oath,” Browne explained.
The Prime Minister stressed repeatedly that constitutional rules cannot be ignored for political convenience.
“If it is unconstitutional, it is not permissible. We cannot supersede what the Constitution says,” he said.
The incident unfolded moments after Tuesday’s joint sitting began, forcing a delayed start as Williams-Grant informed members and invited guests that Pringle could not legally participate until taking the oath at a future sitting of Parliament.
Pringle is a DISGRACE and PAPPYSHOW
The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda needs to improve his vocabulary and not speak so crudely about opposition ministers, regardless of the circumstances. He is prime minister, not a school boy on the playground.
We are accustomed to our PM just as we are used to their DUNCNESS
Dont mess with Antigua PM.
ol
When the Prime Minister calls people names, it is tolerated. However, when the opposition does the same, it results in either a lawsuit or public backlash. The Prime Minister must recognize that as the nation’s leader, he must conduct himself properly, especially within Parliament. Did he never speak outside of Parliament when he was in the opposition? He frequently refers to others as “dunce elements.” Yet, every member of Parliament attended secondary school and college just like him, and many even graduated from university. Is he implying that he is the only educated person in Parliament? We are just as educated as he is too, then.
When the Prime Minister calls people names, it is tolerated. However, when the opposition does the same, it results in either a lawsuit or public backlash. The Prime Minister must recognize that as the nation’s leader, he must conduct himself properly, especially within Parliament. Did he never speak outside of Parliament when he was in the opposition? He frequently refers to others as “dunce elements.” Yet, every member of Parliament attended secondary school and college just like him, and many even graduated from university. Is he implying that he is the only educated person in Parliament? We are just as educated as he is.
Hahahah that man and his tongue but I must admit he is right to call them that
Those are the same fools he recruited from the UPP to build his “powerhouse” party. Only an idiot would agree with him. Everyone was explicitly instructed by Parliament to arrive early so that Mr. Pringle’s swearing-in ceremony could take place. Despite this, Prime Minister Browne deliberately came late.
Those are the same dunces Gaston recruited from the UPP to build his “powerhouse” party. Only an idiot would agree with him. Everyone was explicitly instructed by Parliament to arrive early so that Mr. Pringle’s oaths sign in swearing ceremony could take place. Despite this, Prime Minister Browne deliberately came late so the oaths couldn’t take place.
Antigua have some legal prostitutes boi. Aru will mek antigua sink for that brown paperbag. As a prim minister you gotta have more decorum, dignity, self respect as well as respect for anyone else regardless if they are opposition. The conduct in Parliament is like comedy now a days Parliament debates are theatrical and yall call this unity. Regardless of red and blue you should at least have the countries best interests at heart yet yall bickering with one another. Red or blue aru till a bawl hungry so wa that fa tell aru. Come together and build back the place. But aru more for the color red and blue than for your own country aru stupid r.
Antigua have some legal prostitutes boi. Aru will mek antigua sink for that brown paperbag. As a prim minister you gotta have more decorum, dignity, self respect as well as respect for anyone else regardless if they are opposition. The conduct in Parliament is like comedy now a days Parliament debates are theatrical and yall call this unity. Regardless of red and blue you should at least have the countries best interests at heart yet yall bickering with one another. Red or blue aru till a bawl hungry so wa that fa tell aru. Come together and build back the place. But aru more for the color red and blue than for your own country aru stupid r.
Dont tek what Gassy say to heart he stilll love the opposition.
Garfield was even shocked when PM said what he said
And he said that live on ABS