Antigua and Barbuda has gone into a decline under the Browne Administration, former PM Spencer laments

Former Prime Minister Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer considers the
governance style of the Gaston Browne Administration as retrogressive
when compared to that of the United Progressive Party (UPP).

According to Spencer, when one compares the UPP’s approach to
governance and what it did for the people, Antigua and Barbuda is now
existing in a retrogressive state.

The Browne Administration has failed to move forward and develop certain
programmes and ideas put in train by the UPP, so that the people would be
the beneficiaries, Spencer says.

And what is happening, instead, is that the country has slipped back
significantly.

While his administration, which held office from 2004 to 2014, was a
people-first government, the Antigua Labour Party Administration is geared
towards self-enrichment, Spencer adds.

Instead of the people – in particular the middle and lower classes –
prospering, those who are reaping the rewards are the government
ministers, their families and friends, and the upper class, the former prime
minister charges.

Spencer says whereas the UPP was deep in its philosophy of delivering for,
and on behalf of, the people, under the Gaston Browne Administration it is
the reverse.

He says the people are considered only every five years – during an
election cycle – when they are promised everything under the sun.
However, Dr. Spencer is putting the Browne Administration on notice that
the people of Antigua and Barbuda have had enough and will no longer be
fooled by political gimmickry.

According to him, they will rise to the occasion, re-electing the UPP, which
seeks to make them the priority.

While serving as head of the government, Spencer had dubbed himself the
country’s “Chief Servant.” He notes that, although there were many
difficulties, his government still ensured that the people were its No. 1
priority.

Meanwhile, he says, although the Labour Party continues to peddle the lie
that the UPP is against non-nationals, Dr. Spencer reminds the public that it
was the UPP who introduced the legislation that granted many of them
citizenship.

The former prime minister says his Party is one of inclusion – and not
exclusion based on nationality, creed, class or race.

That was former Prime Minister Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer.

Dr. Spencer was speaking on Observer Radio’s “Connecting with Dave” on
Monday, April 15, during the Party’s Media Day, as part of the activities
leading to its 12 th  Biennial Convention.