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**ABC** » 2012-08-16 08:32

I agree with you Antigua Woman. Say it like it is.

**ANTIGUAN WOMAN** » 2012-08-15 20:47

I beg you pardon,but you,re in oblivion,i suggest if you are in the US stay there and concentrate on Novembers election,you are not paying $1000 mt for utilties i,m almost sure neither are you spending $300 on groceries and walk out with 3 plastic bags,Your old time campaigning will not phase anyone,its outdated and tired. you have given us all the reasons why the ALP should be kept out of office,can you be soo kind to give me just one why the UPP should be returned to office? And speaking of corruption,a new word need to be invented when describing the present administration, and not forgetting ineptitude to the maximum,first time in A,guas history we have a Pm who do not know figures,just go to the Economy section and read the latest on increases on basic food items,read about the power plant they purchased for millions of $$$ and comment on those,try another platform for your campaign,this one will not work.

**Jumbee Picknee** » 2012-08-15 20:42

Has anyone seen Brer Anansi? Yes, I have said Mr. Alister Thomas. As a matter of fact, my office is filled with Bird's featherd. My secretary has informed me, that last Friday, August 10th, 2012 @ 10am, this huge Bird, waddled into the Office claiming, that he was Hon. Lester Bird, and he is to be seated for the inaugural meeting of the OECS Assembly. However, within moments of him appearing, his entire suit fell to the ground, filled with Feathers of The Birds. I then realize, it was Brer Anansi. By the way Commissioner Thomas, I thought Brer Anansi was you? To which Mr. Thomas replied, " be quiet, Anansi has brought us the news of some serious fighting in the Birds Nest.and since all their feathers were flying with the jabs, hooks, uppercuts, low blows, he Anansi made good use of their feathers.

HC » 2012-08-15 19:35

I WILL VOTE FOR A CUBAN FROG TO GET RID OF THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION, SO WHAT IS THE FUSS ABOUT WHO IS LEADER OF OPPOSITION

**UNITED STATES** » 2012-08-15 17:28

I said a long time ago that this man should sail off into the sunset.He does not like Antigua and he certainly does not like Antiguans.His administrations had more foreigners in higher positions in Antigua,than any other administration. They were accused of corruption,taki ng lands from Government for next to nothing.Perhaps he did not xxx xxxxx when he was Prime Minister.He gave Antigua lands away to a man for nothing under the guise of development.I am speaking about Guiana island.Then there is still the IHI situation,South ern Development and the list goes on and on.Why those people are not in prison is beyond the pale.We have a resort in Antigua,hotel 1735.There is where they belong.Antigua is not willed to the Birds.Get them to heck out of office,enough is enough.Antigua gave them everything they own.They did not give back to Antigua.They got fully paid for whatever they did.

**college student** » 2012-08-15 17:12

why is this topic so important they are so much other serious issue in island that we should be focusing on but we find to invest time to comment on this..........

**tenman** » 2012-08-15 17:06

SlyThatGuy, the issue of the article is about a change of opposition leader in the house not party leader. The party members do not select the opposition leader in the house, this is done by opposition MP's. The government general appoints as opp leader the person he believes has the support of the majority of opposition members (section 79 2 of the constitution). Its normally done by members writing the GG, and stating who they are in support of

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**SlyThatGuy** » 2012-08-15 16:02

The proper way to selecting a substitute Political Leader within the party should be by ballot - allow party members to vote. If,for instance,Lester Bird(the current party leader) alone has the liberty to pick whom he so desires to replace him and he picks Robin Yearwood because of their longtime friendship,that might create discontentment if other members believe they were more qualified but was not given a fair chance.

**ANTIGUAN WOMAN** » 2012-08-15 15:20

Notice how the comments keep pouring in on this topic,but when it comes to matters that is affecting our lives on a daily basis,like the old WPP,we are like mutes.It shows as i said before,(and will say again,with no fear of criticism) Something is wrong with the thinking of most a,guans,we are suddenly appearing to be like people with no education,in short we act stupid.

**ALP Supporter** » 2012-08-15 14:53

Political entitlement in any form is a hall mark of both despotic leaders and a political organization bereft of vitality and relevance to a modern society. Why would we want to elevate a political system followed by pariah states like North Korea and Syria?

The Labour Party needs new vitality and must seek to harness both the experience of senior members of the Party and the vitality of its younger members. Lester has shown over the last 8 years that for all of his intelligence, charisma and experience, he lacks the ability to organize, transform and elevate the Labour Party into an organisation that stands hands above a failed UPP.

The long term future of an evolved ALP is perhaps a matter for separate discussion but relevant now is setting the institution on a path with a leader that both commands the respect of his political colleagues and the nation as a whole. That person I believe, is no longer Lester Bird.

While Robin may not be perfect, at least he is a start in the right direction. Supported by all within the Party, this at least gives the ALP a foundation for building a viable government in waiting.

**ALP Supporter** » 2012-08-15 14:51

The beneficial contribution of the two Bird's that have served this nation as Prime Minister is undeniable. Their failures, weaknesses and excesses however, are also equally undeniable.

As individuals we tend to want to make Saints of those who have passed and while this is a human trait, we should not let sentimentality blind us to our current position. Our Nation State has collapsed under a government that does not understand either the economy or the geopolitics impacting our nation. This country needs a responsible leadership that has the interest of the nation at heart and the capacity to chart a course to prosperity.

In light of the above, any kind of talk about the Labour party being an exclusive enclave of the Bird family denigrates the organization and the people who worked to make both the party and the nation a success.

**BURIED CANNONS** » 2012-08-15 14:27

Leave the come back Kid alone all you Labourites!!! Without Lester in parliament as leader of the oposition there's no coming back for ALP.

Take it easy Power Hungry Nestlings!!!

**Fedup with Gaston** » 2012-08-15 14:21

Hmmmmmm this sound like a GB leaked story which has no merit. GB the party is up to your tricks. You will never become leader of the ALP so continue to play your dirty games. I have told you go kick rocks or a back doh

**UncommonSense** » 2012-08-15 14:00

Beyond Lester Bird is the ALP poised to re-set the nation in the right direction? Would the government be forced to take responsibility for its own missteps? Will we begin to put country first before self and party?

Bird Departure screams for strengthening the institution of democracy and engaging in leadership maturity as we transition to the next step.

Brown is young, he has time to become the PM after the next PM. Yearwood will be opened to talent and intellectual fire power. He is mature and real enough to assemble the best minds and hearts and service at home and abroad to make a mark difference!

**UncommonSense** » 2012-08-15 14:00

Mr. Bird deserves a dignified departure. Give it to him. For all his challenges and downsides, he has earned a pomp and ceremony farewell. What is sad is that his biology has blown the whistle and that will be our fate--each of us--if we keep on living long enough.

I would have preferred to see Lester Bird himself, take the initiative to say "It is finished. I have fought a good fight, finished the course, kept the faith.. henceforth I go....."

Let us not so much rejoice and celebrate but reflect and recogize all the the wonderful things he has accomplished while learning from his imperfections, with a resolve never to repeat the things that went wrong under his watch.

**tenman** » 2012-08-15 13:39

Eric your dislike for the former PM makes you blind. You are inaccurate about there only currently being Vere Bird to continue the legacy since the other way to join a family other than birth is marriage. Yes Eric, husbands too sometimes take the spouses maiden name. This act has been going on in at least the western world for centuries.

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**Colin** » 2012-08-15 13:17

The ALP must be desperate indeed to consider recycling Robin Yearwood as Opposition Leader.
He was tried in that role in 2004 & was quite quickly replaced by Steadroy Benjamin.
Who wants to bet Robin's name is being put up as a stalking horse for the logical choice?
And i don't mean Molwyn.

**Vere C. Bird III** » 2012-08-15 13:09

So is this the Convention that could have been held to determine issues of leadership? Sounds like the politicians are preempting a convention and the will of the people from my view.

**ANTIGUAN ABROAD** » 2012-08-15 12:54

HAVE WE ALL LOST OUR MARBLES????? ABOUT 25 YRS AGO LESTER HUMILIATED HIS FATHER IN A PROTESTING MARCH FOR NOT RESIGNING AS LEADER OF THE ALP PARTY. I THINK ANTIGUANS ABROAD LIKE MYSELF DONT WANT ANOTHER BIRD OR YEARWOOD REGIME BOTH HAVE HAD A FULL RUN THEY CAN BETTER SERVE AS ADVISORS TO A FRESH NEW BREED OF POITCIANS. ALSO THEY HAVE xxxxx ALOTT OF xxxxx xxxx xxxx WHEN WILL SOME POLITICIANS PUT ANTIGUA FIRST INSTEAD OF THEIR xxxx FOR xxxxx BOTH MEN HAVE ATREMEDOUSLY WEALTH OF POLITICAL KNOWLEGE THAT THEY CAN ADVISE!!!! I SAY YES TO A GASTON RULE. ENUFF OF BIRDS N YEARWOOD .

**Dig It** » 2012-08-15 12:24

Eric, you, of all people should be the last to talk about "relinquish" of any leadership, when you proclaimed yourself to me and Tenman that you are a "proud partisan!" You don't have any love for the country, as long as the status-quo remains the same and the "agenda" is fullfilled! The only way Antiguans and Barbudans can free themselves from the "enslaved" political mindset by many is to put the country first and foremost, and, accept nothing but "good governance" and a viable opposition, regardless which party is in power! I am sure you would say otherwise, as "objectivity" is out of your league!

**Cool Ruler** » 2012-08-15 12:23

By the way donf forget that Robin once had that position once when Lester was not in parliament and the young turks wrote to the GG to have him replaced with the cute one. Will they agree to give Robin their support this time around? And where will Lester's seat be? That would be interesting to see him seated after Gaston.

**PEACE** » 2012-08-15 12:05

You cannot have some who calls for UNITY within the ALP on ONE HAND and on the OTHER HAND if it is not, their way it is NO WAY.

I will continue to say,(with all due respect to the other females ) within the ALP for A NEW POLITICAL LEADER "Ms GALE CHRISTIAN".I will also say with POSITIVE SUPPORT coming from ALL ALL MEMBERS OF THE ALP Ms GALE CHRISTIAN can also be LEADER IN THE HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.

**Young people say so** » 2012-08-15 11:58

If Lester cannot sit in a meeting for two hours, how can he be in office for an entire day if ALP get back into power. If he still want to be in politics take him as a consultant but time for him to go. We are done with this Birdism crap!!

Reference the point of considering Yearwood, that's a BIG joke.

**Dig It** » 2012-08-15 11:25

Well, Everton, you surely know how to give the people another "mini-carnival" in August! Where would the "venue" be, as this one would the "hottest" fete in town? On that note, my hope and wish (a big one that is) is to see the country in "good-hands" in having an "effective\tran sparent" government and "feisty\mobile" loyal opposition! We just can't afford to let "self" triumphs over "thee" in a time when our country needs us the most! Some of us may think that having both a "Political Leader" and "Leader of the Opposition" is good for the ALP but for some (independents and the likes) it really doesn't "settle" the question of who's the "Accepted-Leade r" of the party to take them into the 2014 elections? Instead of "mobilizing" the public with sound "economic and social" ideas, the "two-term" opposition is faced with the dilemma of not having to "Palace Coup" their Leader MP Bird or continue to be "embar**ed" by the actions\inactio ns of the Party. The race is for the swift but the people seem to always get the "brunt-end" of the stick when it comes to their "best interest!"

**Concern Antiguan** » 2012-08-15 11:18

Yearwood is not qualified. Plain and simple. Therefore, your suggestion lack validity. Obviously, you are thinking of your own fortune to suggest such positioning for Yearwood.

**JP Farnsworth** » 2012-08-15 11:08

Lester shall be King of Redonda! all hail king Lester....or not....

**Eric** » 2012-08-15 10:52

Jackie Spence - you are the only one who got it right. Lester Bird is not going to relinquish any leadership role as long as there is no other” Bird” to succeed him. This is the reason that we see Vere Bird III making a lot of noise around the country to get his name in things. He is the only “Bird” that they can identify at the present time – however his prior problems still over shadow him at this time. He is not ready yet.
We are still unable to get away from the thinking that “Antigua & Barbuda belongs to the Birds”

**Have Mercy!** » 2012-08-15 10:13

Well Hilson Baptiste must be jumping for joy. After all he wants to "end Birdism once and for all"

**observer** » 2012-08-15 10:08

Lester the writing is on the wall you should jump before you are pushed.

**tenman** » 2012-08-15 09:36

Anonymous Gayle cannot be leader of the opp. in the house of rep. she is not an elected MP (did not beat her opponent MP Spencer in the 2009 election).

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**Avid Reader** » 2012-08-15 09:30

My problem with this, how does the party not have a conversation with this man first, they are airing it in the news first and then saying they not insulting him. Are they kidding?, just on principal this man should say go to the devil.

This has nothing to do with whether the party needs a new leader, but a measure of respect is necessary here, they already put up who they want to replace him in this article, come on, they want to run a country again.

**ALP Supporter** » 2012-08-15 09:19

Antigua as a country is in trouble. The UPP does not have a clue about how to fix a problem that in part is of their own making, and made worse by a global financial crisis. After eight years of economic and moral decline Antigua needs a change.

Lester served this country well during his time but clearly no longer has the physical health to lead this country in what is very difficult times. What is required is energy, smarts and a drive to see Antigua set right. Lester is incapable of leading the ALP much less the country. The ALP needs new leadership in order to be viable in the upcoming election.

There are three viable contenders for the ALP leadership. All have different strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion Robin is a fiscal conservative and with our main problem being of a financial and economic nature, he is the right person for the time.

Lester its time to leave front line politics and let the ALP prepare itself for government. Remaining in the position hurts your image, denigrates your past contribution to our nation, and damages the ALP. Do the right thing and leave with some dignity but do it quickly.

**Anonymous** » 2012-08-15 08:57

These people are not serious replacing Lester Bird with another aging leader. What happen to Gaston and Gale to serve as Leader.

**Jackie Spense** » 2012-08-15 08:39

Lester should stay as long as he want even if he can't walk or talk...Birdism must remain! You can only move him if another Bird is able to step into the Leadership role in ALP! Remember is "Bird" Party!

**Dr. Holden Abrahams** » 2012-08-15 08:30

The need for transition leadership is ripe. Succession time is here. Bird's health is affecting his capacity to lead is obvious, what is less obvious is why does it take these extremes for Party Top Guns to reach this point?

Who will speak the truth to Mr. Bird? Why isn't he allowed to retire with dignity? Aren't other leaders highly qualified to take the ALP over and do a great job of re-positioning it for governance?

If Bird can't lead as Opposition Leader he needs to let go as Political Leader as well. Should Gaston Brown and M. Joseph rally around Yearwood, in an effort to have him take over the reigns of the ALP, Yearwood would need a full year to re-organize the ALP for victory. If this transition is smooth, the ALP will win. If it becomes divisive the ALP will be defeated.

**Miego Man** » 2012-08-15 08:26

Repalce him with Ivor Bird!

**Hmmmm** » 2012-08-15 08:18

Karma is something else. Yearwood Noooo... Gaston Yes.. If Gaston is currently the Deputy shouldnt he be next in line for the Leadership position?? Yearwood has been around for ages yes but lacks the tenacity, and age is not on his side either.

**SlyThatGuy** » 2012-08-15 08:14

Changing steward may be quite simple indeed;replacin g the old steward with a better one is quite challenging. Elect someone we know will step up to the tasks ahead.

**Sandra Yearwood** » 2012-08-15 08:14

This sounds like a workable deal but Lester will never cooperate. He is too drunken with power to give up. Five more years in opposition for ALP. Robin should challenge Lester for the Leadership if he does not cooperate.

**Slapping Hand** » 2012-08-15 08:06

I think Robin is the right person to select since he is the only one who has openly challenged Lester Bird for Leadership!

**Henry** » 2012-08-15 07:33

I will cautiously say that the move to have a new leader of the opposition is a good one, but only if it is done in a harmonius way! I agree that the most senior parliamentarian that should be considered at this time is Hon Robin Yearwood. However I am quite sure Mr Yearwood would only do so if there is full agreement by Lester Bird. I really don't see why not!

**R. Berry** » 2012-08-15 06:37

Listen ALP Leadership (UPP too), the country of A&B is blowing in the wind with little to no effective leadership and or direction in both the Government and Opposition..... everything is continuing to fall apart politically, socially and economically. What this country needs right now is someone they can believe in, someone with intelligence (common sense), education, strength, ethics, morals and values.....some one who will show us by example, how to put our country before our selfish wants.

Someone who can put the whole of A&B on the track of prosperity and not just fill their own pockets. Someone who has and can take pride in our beautiful island and not just what he or she has acquired personally.

Someone who actually works for their dues and not take trips around the world at the taxpayers expense.

And lastly, someone who is mature in mind and cares for all citizens, residents and all people living, making a living in, and visitors to, A&B....not someone who is vindictive and spiteful at the expense of the tax payers of A&B

**Jumbee Picknee** » 2012-08-15 06:19

Lights, Camera, Action...Take II, Scene IV. We need Brer Anansi in action!!!!!

**Anonymous** » 2012-08-15 06:12

Bird should resign period.

**Cool Ruler** » 2012-08-15 06:07

When you spit up in the air it comes back down in your face. Remember ehst he did to VC after the five minute budget speech? Well he has now reach that juncture, lets see how this plays out. Perhaps they can get Joey to declare him incapacitated as he tried to get Dr. Lake to do to his father.

**PEACE** » 2012-08-15 05:49

Miss GALE CHRISTIAN for ALP POLITICAL LEADER>

Title	Answers
HAS THE RESULTS CAME OUT AS YET?	0
How will be taking Lovell's place.. Given he can not do his Job. We need to drop interest rates on outstanding matters. Who can do Lovell's Job right this time?	3
Is FBO 2000 on Antigua still up for sale?	1
Where do local eat	3
when u have to accept road signs from another country why u spend so much money on immigration as no one wants to settle in antigua	0

Title	Answers	Hits
Was there a police report filed by Royal Caribbean Vision of the seas for the man, wife and 11 yr old child removed from the ship on December 20th, 2012 ? He allegedly attacked a man with a service dog on the ship and was set on the dock that day with hi	0	37956
PWD in shambles, what is the purpose of their position? I'm tired of these people in the dept who jsut come eac day to make you feel uncomfortable because of their miserable lives. someone needs to look into this.	0	14730
What is the world's largest airline?	2	5527
What is the amount ZDK owes for electricity ?	1	3869
any audio or video of Minister Farrakhan speech at the Multi-purpose Centre?	1	3770

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