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No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

Details
Politics
Friday, 08 February 2013 02:30
By Everton Barnes
SocButtons v1.5

Opposition leader Gaston BrowneAntigua St. John's - The first public rally for the rebranded Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party was held at the historic 46 North Street,Thursday night.

The most rabid party supporters would not have been pleased with the turnout and the no-shows of several senior members.

Despite suggestions that the party’s fortunes are on the upswing, the turnout was much less than expected for a political party claiming to be within arms-reach of retaking the government.

Former Party Leader, Lester Bird, along with Molwyn Joseph and Robin Yearwood, were noticeably absent from the meeting. 

Despite their absence, the meeting did not lack energy as the speakers who took to the podium found ways to energise the audience with short, but very pointed addresses.

The meeting provided a glimpse of what is to come when Browne was announced, accompanied by a rousing welcome and escorted on stage by the central executive of the ABLP’s youth arm, the Youth For Labour.

Browne did not disappoint as he delivered a fiery speech full of promises and proposals to take the country forward should he become Prime Minister with an ABLP electoral victory.


He announced plans to undertake a major project for the city of St John’s called the St John’s Dockland Project. This, he said, would involve hundreds of millions of dollars in investment. “We have already held discussions with investors willing to partner with us in this project during our recent visit to the United States,” Browne announced.

He added that the project will be the flagship undertaking of a new ABLP Administration should it win the 2014 elections. The project, he said would involve the construction of two hotels, restaurants and a marina among other amenities. It will also provide hundreds of new jobs.

Browne also announced a possible solution to the ongoing dispute with the United States over the gaming issue. He said rather than commit acts of intellectual property piracy against American companies such as Microsoft, he believes that a better solution would be to engage in negotiations with the U.S where it will fund US$20 million worth of scholarships each year for American students to study at medical schools in Antigua.

The ABLP leader also spoke of breaking up what he termed the ‘rental cartel’ operating in the country where certain well known families are engaged in the practice of renting properties to the government in a way that virtually shuts out the ordinary Antiguans and Barbudans and makes it impossible for them to compete.

Rather than renting these properties, Browne said the prudent thing to do would be to enter into Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) projects. However, Browne said none of these arrangements should last for more than 20 years.

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34 Comments In This Article   

HEADER   

WE MUST KEEP OUR EYES ON THE PRIZE.

#34 OUTOFANTIGUA » 2013-02-09 15:57

We worship Not our Ancestors; but Honer Them.our country is loosing Her soul and her peoples drifting away from the (3) great actuals of Faith/Hope&Love .{corinthians:1 3} with these three our comrade Leadre will get us to the promised place. We listen and follow because We must to be made whole.the forces on the other side are strong,but together we will be stronger.may the Gods Bless Antigua&Barbuda .
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OUTOFANTIGUA

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#33 Perplexed » 2013-02-09 14:00

Mr. Barnes

Mr. Lester Bird was at the meeting on thursday night. Albeit he showed up late and stayed in his vehicle as usual. It is true that Mr Yearwood did not show but he sent an excuse saying he had the flu. I do not know about Mr. Joseph but I would like you to go sit down and interview him and get the true story.
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Perplexed

@ Anon

#32 The Fly » 2013-02-08 22:32

Just so you know...it was Baldwin Spencer who brought the Hadeeds to the then ALP Government to do the Office Complex! Just to remind you...with a boot agreement, there is no capital expenditure by the Government, and the buildings revert back to the Government at the end of the lease contract!
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The Fly

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#31 unique » 2013-02-08 20:15

Don't be discouraged Political leader Gaston......its k to have a few true supporters....t han a thousand hypocrites..... dat only cm out to see u fail.....the race is nt fo the swift , but who endure to the end......with God help u will endure.
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unique

jokes

#30 pineye » 2013-02-08 17:44

Quote:
diplomacy begins at home.. Influence depends on the credibility of domestic policies. John Ashton
it real strange hearing the factions in the ALP speak on how they (ALP) would have been able to deal with the WTO issue with real diplomacy. They say, they would have created a win win situation for all. Can anyone answer if true why is it that brethren who should be members of the same party can't work together? To me its like a daddy who has a family mess lecturing other men on how to fix their problems. Should it not first be seen at home?

..
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pineye

Use Cognition! Discard BigManism! Signal not only Change in Style but Motivation!

#29 John French II » 2013-02-08 15:58

Notes From A Native Son Of THe Rock! Wha U Buy U Wear! The Book advise: "Be completely humble & gentle; be patient, bearing one with another in love."
Comrade Leader (CL) must possess the cognitive capacity to understand & respond strategically to the complexities inherent in service to the public. Keeping the mandate of the Party in the fore, CL must balance his responsibilitie s to the Party, Country's Constitution and Public.
CL, use cognitive skills to perceive both parallel & divergent issues within your responsibilitie s, to interpret the key messages & trends. CL recognize how these relate to the ABLP. Develop policies that are acceptable from multiple points of view. While focusing on the ultimate goal of holding the reins of GoAB, recognize that a multiplicity of different facets must work together to achieve that goal. CL, Priority 1 is to create order out of chaos, then develop long term & short term strategies that will prevent as well as solve problems.
Admit Faux Pas by your non meetings attendance, your handling of the WPP & CIP Files & Cronyism!
"Always touch a person's heart before you ask him for a hand".
OH Gad! Pray Fuh E!
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John French II

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#28 VeNoM » 2013-02-08 15:27

Politicians have no shame! Its obvious, now, that in every election year, it has become habitual for our politicians claim to "have investors waiting." In 2009, this same Gaston, spoke of a Canadian "oil man", with whom he was in contact & who would spend hundreds of millions, in the country. However, this "investor", as he put it, "would not invest under the current administration. " Where has that one gone & are the ones you speak of now, anymore real that he was?!
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VeNoM

@skywill

#27 not again » 2013-02-08 14:37

Since it looks like you are the official spokes person. Gaston has now leased his supermarket to a Chinese man, I don't know where you shop but his prices are not very attractive. I'm asking how many person from his constituency has he employed. And yes APUA has leased an office in his building and Apua will be operating an office overthere name South Mart branch.
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not again

Everton Barnes - the warning signal

#26 tenman » 2013-02-08 14:27

Quote:
Despite suggestions that the party’s fortunes are on the upswing, the turnout was much less than expected for a political party claiming to be within arms-reach of retaking the government.
Mr. Barnes you really can't win: One side call you a red bird, the same side call you a old bird, the other side call you a blue bird, and I suspect you have also been called a new bird. All I ask is that you report what you saw and I trust that you have. Clearly if the trend you report continues, its time for persons to get ready for another 5 or more years of the UPP. This continued infighting may explain why Chaku visited Vere Bird III while he was under arrest. Talk about a real political strategist

..
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tenman

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#25 Neil » 2013-02-08 14:17

Well, No show may be a good thing. The term baggage comes to mind when certain people boycott, so does the term self cleansing.
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Neil

....new wine in old skin....

#24 Jumbee Picknee » 2013-02-08 14:04

NEW WINE IN OLD WINESKINS...Let 's hope, that, this parable does NOT hold true for Our Nation which is at a crucial time in its History.
Gaston is preaching a good sermon from the pulpit but that's what he's trained to do.
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Jumbee Picknee

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#23 UNITED STATES » 2013-02-08 13:28

Molwyn is very jealous of Gaston Browne.Gaston got what he Molwyn always wanted.The leadership of the Labor Party.That would never happen.I am not very surprised that he did not show up to the meeting.The meeting took place after lunch time.Perhaps that is the reason Lester could not show.He seems to get sick after lunch when he is in public places.Check his history for the past 3 years in the Congress.
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UNITED STATES

-no-shows-mar-a blp-rally

#22 4country » 2013-02-08 12:29

Carib Arena I'm disappointed in your story ! The rally was a success and although there were no shows your attempts to malign the efforts of the new leader because the new editor's father is LesterBird and Sean is her cousin along with Vere 3 shows that there is still malice from the convention. Observers story on the radio did not pull the party down . They just simply reported the story of the rally. How more intentionally opposing to your own party can you be ? I know you may not post this but it will really show me and the viewers how biased you really are !
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4country

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#21 AntiguaYouthMan » 2013-02-08 12:25

An Edited Re-post
I would make a correction since I was there(@ the meeting). Hon. Gaston said that he wrote the US Department and suggested some things to include take a route that would not have Major Corporation like Microsoft and so on would not Sue Antigua and Barbuda for allowing or contributing to piracy...He also suggested that since the United States is in-need of Doctors and Nurses, He has spoke to investors to bring more Medical Schools(create Jobs for Antiguans and Barbudans)..... and make available students loan for US citizens to come to the Medical School here in Antigua and Barbuda(the students rents houses, lease cars, consume food, pay for partying). This generates economic activity that in turn create more Jobs again, he also has suggested to the US department that they return a visa sitalite office to Antigua- and we(Antigua and Barbuda Government) would supply the Building.
Now my question to you is; can it be healthy for Antigua and Barbuda to try the tactics set by the UPP? That's what you should be writing about. LABOUR BRINGS FULL EMPLOYMENT, upp brings full implodement.
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AntiguaYouthMan

Re.public rally

#20 Unanimous » 2013-02-08 11:12

Some of u are a bunch of hypocrites u all don't vote do u think it's gonna do something to Gaston Browne no ur hurting ur own self you're the one that's gonna stay in poverty u all better wake up and smell the coffee some of the excuses u all are giving not to vote is so damn ridiculous smh!
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Unanimous

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#19 Village Boi » 2013-02-08 11:07

SlyThatGuy look on it this way, if the US sponsor the scholarship their studies will come here, rent apartments, homes and cars, spend money at the supermarkers, bar etc .......it will be money coming into our economy. that is how I am seeing it but I do agree with ur point.......but there is a down size to ur point who say our ppl that get the scholarship will come back to antigua ? just saying
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Village Boi

Same old same old

#18 Mangohead » 2013-02-08 11:04

As a non-partisan observer with no axe to grind the most disturbing element to this story is the total lack of any new ideas. Once again all the ALP can do is put out their hands and beg for foreign investors! Do we need more hotels? Are the ones we have already full to bursting? No! Do we need another Marina because Jolly Harbour and English Harbour are full? No! It's yet another case of empty promises and short-term thinking that amount to nothing more than selling off public land for private profit. It's just a recipe to repeat the previous disasters which provide nothing but a few short-term construction jobs (all contracts to ALP insiders only, of course) and then menial low-wage jobs serving tables and cutting lawns! Plus of course there are no REAL investors interested, unless they are of the same kind as this previously attracted by the ALP, i.e **s, gangsters, drug cartels, gun-runners, sanction-buster s etc etc. When will they learn that MORE TOURISM IS NOT THE ANSWER! Re-focus NOW towards agriculture, renewable energy, high Tech industry and eco-tourism. Oh, and as for the rent cartel, who introduced it? ALP. Who benefitted from it? ALP. What hypocrisy!
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Mangohead

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#17 SlyThatGuy » 2013-02-08 10:28

I am terribly confused about the suggestion Gaston Browne is offering as a possible solution to the ongoing dispute Antigua & Barbuda has with the United States over the gaming issue. To suggest that our prime minister negotiates and settle for the United States government to fund US$20 million worth of scholarship each year for AMERICAN students to study at medical school in Antigua is foolish and absurd. I mean,What profit can the people of Antigua & Barbuda gain from something like that? Instead of American student coming here and getting an education paid with money that rightfully belongs to the people of Antigua & Barbuda,why not suggest that the US use that same amount of money to fund scholarship for our student to study at medical school in the United States?
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SlyThatGuy

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#16 WAKE UP AND LIVE » 2013-02-08 09:06

IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE PERSON WHO PENNED THIS ARTICLE WANTS TO SELL NEWS PAPER FRANKLY. I HAVE BEEN AROUND THE ANTIGUA LABOUR PARTY FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THE MEETING LAST NIGHT WAS THE BIGGEST SINCE IT IS A DOWN SIDE OF ELECTIONS ACTIVITES. I HAVE SEEN PERSONS THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN AT ANY POLITICAL MEETINGS EVER. I WALKED BACK TO NEWGATE STREET AND AS FAR AS ST. GEORGES AND WILKINSONS CROSS AND THERE WAS NO PARKING SPACE AVAILABLE VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES. COMRADE LESTER BIRD HAS NOT BEEN ATTENDING MEETINGS BECAUSE OF HIS INABILITY TO CLIMB THE STAIRS OF THE STAGE. ROBIN YEARWOOD ATTENDS ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS AND IF HE CALIMS THAT HE IS SICK, I AM PERSUADED TO BELIEVE. MOLWYN JOSEPH WILL BE MOLWYN JOSEPH; HE WILL COME AROUND WHEN HE REALIZES THAT THERE IS NO WHERE ELSE FOR HIM TO GO OR NO ONE ELSE WILL ACCEPT HIM.

THE MEETING WAS ENERGETIC AND FILLED WITH A LOT OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. COMRADE LEADER WAS EXCEPTIONAL AND HE SHOULD CONTINUE TO CARRY THE MESSAGE OF LABOUR AND ALL THE DETRACTORS WILL SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE IN TIME.

LABOUR ALL THE WAY.
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WAKE UP AND LIVE

@The Fly & Clergy

#15 Anon » 2013-02-08 08:52

Who you think entered into the Boot arrangement for the PM Office & Gov't HQ?
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Anon

PROMISES WITHOUT DETAILS SOUND SHALLOW

#14 Lord Have Mercy » 2013-02-08 08:47

Nobody can doubt Gaston Browns ability to make haughty promises, he is quite the expert. Just ask for the details and he start to deflect the responsibility onto other people. We are still waiting for the details of the last set of promises you made a couple weeks ago.

Gaston claims to have several US investors lined up for a big project, but where is the MOU or even a one page letter of intent. The old days of treating the electorate like a naive schoolgirl that you can have your way with based on empty promises are over and done.

DO NOT TELL ME, SHOW ME!
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Lord Have Mercy

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#13 bjsm » 2013-02-08 08:17

OH YEA MEMBA YOUNG PPL NA GO MEETING EASY AH DE OLD ONES WHO U WNAT GET RID AH GO MEETING hshahaha LESTER BIRD ME SAY!!! :-* :-* :-*
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bjsm

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#12 bjsm » 2013-02-08 08:15

:D :D :D :D SO THE MEETING WAS CROWDED HUH WITH ALL THE NEW LABOUR PARTY PPL DEM... AH BET U IF LESTER WAS LEADER THE TURN OUT WOUKD HAVE BEEN MUCH GREATER... LOL GOOD LUCK TO U AND UR NEW PATY SIR... :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P
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bjsm

@ not again

#11 skyewill » 2013-02-08 08:13

Nothing wrong with asking questions and you certainly have the right to do so, but what does Mr. Browne's employees at his supermarket has to do with anything? The man worked hard and opened a business and he hires the amount of people that will make that business profitable. He have some of the best prices in Antigua and it is growing. Are you saying you employ more people than Browne? or is the supermarket all SELF-SERVICE without any employees? What is your point? Are you saying Mr. Browne owns a building that APUA is moving into? I don't understand!
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skyewill

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#10 ECHO » 2013-02-08 07:21

Gaston boy, what you sow you will reap.
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ECHO

Amen!

#9 Clergy! » 2013-02-08 07:19

I always wondered why certain persons were always able to build buildings and didn't need to worry about bank payments? Now we know, it's a cartel - stupid!

In the mean time local black Antiguans and Barbudans would have to fight for the crumbs from the table!

Change is coming... hallelujah...ha llelujah...Prai se God...Amen!
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Clergy!

Browne!

#8 The Fly » 2013-02-08 07:11

I was very impressed with Browne's plan to turn around the economy! I was also given a sense of deliverance when I heard Browne promise to break this "rent" cartel!

The elections can't come soon enough for me!
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The Fly

Change!

#7 Meigo Man » 2013-02-08 07:07

This headline must have been crafted by one of the three?

Thank God for change! Two of the three above mentioned Comrades reported sick, and the other one had an accident with his ego on his way to the meeting!
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Meigo Man

nobody

#6 labour supporter » 2013-02-08 07:03

with all those big advertisement for the meeting at 46 north street, the meeting was a disappointment nobody was there ????
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labour supporter

@ ABLP

#5 Jackie Spence » 2013-02-08 07:02

A few observations:

1) Lester Bird can't speak at meetings unless from his vehicle. He has not spoken on a platform for over three (3) years because he can't climb the steps or stand to speak.

2) Robin Yearwood sent a "sick" notice! He is alleged to have had the flu, and with the rain, I can't blame him for staying home!

3) Maulwin will always be Maulwin. He continues to wear his emotions on his sleeve. Could he have come to the podium and endorsed Browne? Doubt it!
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Jackie Spence

NEW LABOUR PARTY WHAT?

#4 Thomas » 2013-02-08 06:54

Ohhh what a tangled web we weive when we try to decieve. Browne and all his UPP Rejects Should now see how the true blood labourites feel. Where was Gaston Browne when we were on the trail telling people about the old engines? He never showed up at one meeting to lend support to no one neither he nor Asot. Now they want people to show up at meeting they plan WELL FU ME RED FLAG TEK DOWN.
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Thomas

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#3 not again » 2013-02-08 04:53

Well Brown it seems you have been able to break the clique of families renting to government since APUA will be moving into your building shortly. Tell us good sir how many persons have you employed at your supermarket. :-*
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not again

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#2 Dave » 2013-02-08 04:31

Alot of these crimes looks the gangs are working over time, because they are moving in 3 and group of 6.i say again time to eradicate
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Dave

RE: No-Shows Mar ABLP Rally

#1 Dave » 2013-02-08 04:28

Crime is the order of the day,for me what are out doing as opposition to help to tackle the crime situation,if nothing fu&@$$((k off.do you guys see what is happening in our country and guest what you guys sy on the radio ,( the young people not working so crime will continue )and you guys want my vote ,this happen in a lot of other countries and today it's out of control.
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Dave

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