Poll results were a referendum on PM Browne, whose attitude almost cost his party the elections, Astaphan says

Prime Minister Gaston Browne should be taking a different posture in what he says and how he reacts to issues, since it was his attitude that almost cost the Antigua Labour Party the General Election. This is the opinion of attorney Dwyer Astaphan, a former minister of national security and tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Astaphan’s comments followed Browne’s public threat of job terminations after he accused employees of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) Water Department of sabotage.  

The Prime Minister made what some are describing as “wild claims,” alleging that the workers are shutting off valves and creating the persistent water-distribution problem – which, ironically, has plagued this country for decades.

He even accused the APUA staff of going into residents’ yards to turn off these valves, and threatened to fire them if his Administration receives further information in this regard.

Astaphan says the results of the January 18 General Election show a huge public swing away from the Labour Party, which, in politics, has the ability to change the administration.

He notes that Browne has received a temporary reprieve; but based on his recent conduct, the Prime Minister is exposing himself to his own demise.

According to the former politician, Browne should be grateful to the people who elected him, many of whom are APUA workers, instead of this frontal attack on them.

Astaphan says the election results were a referendum on PM Browne, as well as on the people around him who continue to condone his behaviour.

A major change took place this last election, the attorney notes; and with the Prime Minister’s continued egotistical behaviour, the Labour Party is digging its own grave, he says.

The Browne Administration now has the slimmest margin in the House of Representatives, having won nine seats, whereas the opposition bench has eight:  six held by the United Progressive Party (UPP); one by the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM); and the last by independent member Asot Michael.