ABLP looking to whitewash opposition UPP

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne is seeking to follow the lead of his Grenada counterpart, Dr Keith Mitchell, and lead his Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) of a whitewash of the opposition in the March 21 general election.

In a congratulatory statement marking Mitchell’s 15-nil rout of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the third time he has achieved the feat since 1999, Browne, who called the general elections in Antigua more than a year ahead of the constitutional deadline, said he intends to win all 17 seats in the Parliament.

In the last general election in 2014, the ABLP won 14 of the seats, with the remainder going to the then ruling United Progressive Party (UPP).

“Prime Minister (Dr Ralph) Gonsalves (St Vincent and the Grenadines) said in a recent interview that myself and Keith Mitchell, that we have worked very hard, considering the circumstances that we inherited in our respective countries, that we worked with aplomb…and clearly we have done well for the people.

‘I am quite sure the results here in Antigua and Barbuda will be just as exciting, as we say 17-none,” Browne said, extending “congratulations to my dear friend and brother.”

“I think it is a well-deserved win and I am looking forward to joining him very shortly to celebrate a 17-none here in Antigua and Barbuda,” Browne said.

The prime minister has also defended the use of “a significant amount of resources” to be paid to be paid to regional and international performers at the ABLP rally this weekend, saying the funds were not that of the state and had been raised by the party for the occasion.

Moreso he said, some of the artistes were his personal friends. (CMC)