Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

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Politics

Thursday, 31 May 2012 16:00

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - Leader of the Opposition Lester Bird has issued a statement to the public on ZDK radio.

The statement follows Wednesday’s last-minute surprise decision not to follow through with his Motion of No Confidence in the stewardship of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.

Dirty Hands or Eyes Wide Shut An already rocky economy (and that's putting it mildly) got a major shock on Monday when the Privy Council ruled against the Baldwin Spencer administr... read more

Bird’s unexpected withdrawal of the motion threw his Antigua Labour Party (ALP) into a state of shock. His action also prompted senior Members of Parliament Robin Yearwood (St. Phillips North) and Molwyn Joseph (St. Mary’s North) to issue a joint statement of their own, seeking to calm the fears of agitated ALP supporters.

The two MPs also sought to rally independent voters behind their continuing campaign to unseat the ruling United Progressive Party.

Caribarena.com now publishes the full text of the opposition leader’s statement on the withdrawal of his Motion of No Confidence Vote below:

STATEMENT BY HON. LESTER BIRD M.P.

This is the Honourable Lester Bird, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.
 
I am aware that many of the supporters of the ALP and those who want change in our country are disappointed that the draft Resolution of No-Confidence was not debated yesterday evening, Wednesday May 30, 2012, because of my absence from the Parliament.
   
The rules governing Resolutions stipulate that the member who submits a Resolution must introduce it. I intended to do exactly that yesterday afternoon.
     
The Resolution was the very last item on the agenda or Order Paper, and the session which saw me present from 9:15 am yesterday, continued uninterrupted until after 3:00 pm in the afternoon.

After breaking for lunch, I simply did not feel well enough to return; the five-hour long session caused some exhaustion, and I did not believe that I would have been vigorous enough in my presentation. The opportunity to bring the Resolution is not lost, and I will continue to pursue it.

I note that the Hon. Wilmoth Daniel, a UPP Government Minister, did not show at all yesterday. That struck me as attesting to his lack of faith in Mr. Spencer and implicit support for the Resolution. The UPP Government has been disastrous for Antigua and Barbuda, and let no-one lose sight of that fact.
   
I will continue to follow my doctor’s orders, gaining more strength in my legs following that operation on my back, several months ago.

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17 Comments In This Article   

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

onlooker » 2012-06-05 12:54

who is missing the point here, in our parliamnetary system a motion of no confidence takes president over ALL matteers, as a matter of fact on that days sitting, ONLY the MOC should be on the order paper. Take it from the onlooker.

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onlooker

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Now it's not funny anymore

It Is Me » 2012-06-01 21:19

I said it before ... and I will say it again ... It's time for Lester Bird and Baldwin Spencer to leave us alone ... I am tired of hearing both of their voices ... when ever they come on I have to change the station ... I can't take it anymore!!!

How can we expect to have another 5 years of either Baldwin or Lester???

Why can't they just retire like everyone else and go sit on some statuary boards and volunteer their experience ... ah wa do dem???

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It Is Me

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Comrade Leader

David Shaolin » 2012-06-01 07:40

Why you guys don't leave Lester alone? He should stay for another thousand years! If you take him away from the ALP, what do you have left? By the way, Dry Hill is now the new UPP constituency! HaHaHaHa

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David Shaolin

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bibical perspective

tenman » 2012-05-31 23:45

15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new [sword], said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished." – 2 Samuel 21:15-17

..

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tenman

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Eric

Rubbin alcohol » 2012-05-31 21:41

who was protecting the treasury from the member from rural south with the fences, Dan iel with the roads and pretty pretty sidewalks, romantic rhymths concert and the 8 million stand in Johnson.

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Rubbin alcohol

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

Morris » 2012-05-31 20:34

Leadership is not a part time job, so if Mr. Bird's health will not afford him to put in a full day's labor, perhaps he should graciously exit stage left and allow someoe else to lead his party. This eleventh hour kindergarten excuse for something that has been in the national spotlight for such a long time is unacceptable and brings his leadership abilities into question.

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Morris

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

US Federal Court » 2012-05-31 20:22

While your taking your break, we have some questions about your Knight, Sir Allen.

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US Federal Court

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

Eric » 2012-05-31 18:52

What else can we expect from Lester and the Labour party? Could these guys really intend to be Government in this country again? Never Again – we have to protect our treasury – we certainly cannot afford an IHI rip-off again.

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Eric

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

Concern Antiguan » 2012-05-31 18:52

The man is so comfortable giving inadequate explanation to the people.What a joke.

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Concern Antiguan

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SHAME ON YOU LESTER BIRD

Iamsodone » 2012-05-31 18:49

SHUT UP LESTER BIRD! SHUT UP ! JUST SHUT UP! YOU HAVE SOME DAMN NERVE. YOU AND ASSOT ARE SOOOOOOOOO TRANSPARENT. WE KNOW ASOT GOT YOU BY THE SxxxxM AND BS HAS ASOT NECK IN THE NOOSE. WHY THE HELL ARE CALLING DANIEL'S NAME? WHERE WAS ASOT? YOU THREE UNxxUxUxxUS SxUxB BAGS (YES I SAID IT) SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES FOOLING THESE POOR CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY. YOU GASTON AND ASOT KNEW YOU HAD YOUR OWN AGENDA WHEN YOU ENTERED PARLIMENT. WHAT A DOWN RIGHT DISGRACE!

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Iamsodone

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The People of Antigua are not Stupid

The Messenger » 2012-05-31 18:36

Comrade " leader" you were well aware that the motion was not to be debated until late afternoon.The entire country knew that it was the last item on the order paper. Why then genius "leader" didn't you arrive to parliament later in the day knowing that your health was not the best these days, and then just move the motion and debate it. Any genius "leader" would have been smart enough to plan this accordingly. Sorry ,you are spent energy,,, wheel and come again,, .Actually, just give the mantle over to Gaston, or your new proteige,,,,,Ma rlon Rawlins.

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The Messenger

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

ANTIGUAN ABROAD » 2012-05-31 18:30

WELL WELL WELL HE CANT STAND HE CANT SIT FOR TOO LONG BUT HE INSIST HE WANT N NEEDS TO BE PARTY LEADER COME HEALTH OR HIGH WATER..... HERE'S MY THING... ABOUT 24YRS AGO ANTIGUANS DO YOU ALL REMEMBER WHEN HE EMBARRESS HIS OWN FATHER FOR THE SAME THING THE PARTY IS CALLING ON HIM TO RESIGN AND THATS WHAT ANTIGUAN'S N ALL PARTY MEMBERS (ALP) TO MARCH AGAINST HIS ASS TO PUBLICLY HAVE HIM REMOVED TO THAT WHEN 214 ELECTIONS ROLL IN THE PARTY WOULD BE REJUEVENTED ...REVIVED AND READY TO RULE ...EGOS EGOS EGOS.

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ANTIGUAN ABROAD

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sounds like the leader we need a cripple!

local boy » 2012-05-31 18:03

perfect guy to run our country! Cant even do more work than 5 hours !! Wow cant wait for him to get into power!!! what a joke birdie

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local boy

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

R. Berry » 2012-05-31 17:22

Let me ask this of Mr. Bird....as an experienced politician did you not foresee the long "delay" etc.. before you were going to be able debate the no-confidence motion.

I find your above statement to be sadly lacking in content and conviction and even worse no sound leadership qualities. Are we to draw from your refusal to step aside even in view of your failing health, as a sign of your tremendous stubbornness and or greed for power. Or are you trying to be the captain that carries the ALP ship to a watery grave in the next election?

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R. Berry

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

human » 2012-05-31 17:19

Yet he won't heed calls to allow a younger ALP member assume party leadership. The next election is 2 years away. He doesn't have energy for a full day's work now at 74 yrs old, but he's gonna have it at 76? 78? 80???

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human

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Bull Snot

Smoke n Mirrors » 2012-05-31 16:44

Ok Comrade Leader, If you say so.

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Smoke n Mirrors

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RE: Bird Addresses Withdrawal of No Confidence Vote

no sex b4 marriage » 2012-05-31 16:08

Thank you Caribarena.

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no sex b4 marriage

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