“Old Clown” Prime Minister?

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is questioning whether or not leaders of countries who do not implement Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes are “old clowns”.

During a recent public meeting, the North Leeward candidate of the New Democratic Party (NDP),Dr Kishore Shallow said that Prime Minister Gonsalves is wrong on CBI and referred to the elder leader as an “old clown” for not embracing the programme.

Said Dr Shallow, “…now, because the fellow, the old clown- and that is what I’m referring to him from now on- because he doesn’t understand citizenship by investment, he refused to implement it…”.

Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown St Clair Leacock, speaking during a public meeting on May 9, 2025, said the Prime Minister should be referred to as “honourable old clown”.

On Monday, May 12, 2025 at a press conference, commenting on the CBI and Shallow’s declaration,the Prime Minister said if he is an “old clown” for not wanting to embrace the CBI, then that must mean other leaders who do not support the programme are the same as he.

“…this particular person who wants to run for a seat for the NDP…he called me an old fool, an old clown. Imagine that…,a fellow who just trying to wet his feet.

“A man (PM Gonsalves) who has been in this business for 56 years as an activist, 31 years as a parliamentarian, and 24 as a prime minister,” Dr Gonsalves remarked.

“Well, I suspect that Mia Motley and all the Prime Ministers in Barbados before, including titans like Owen Arthur in the 21st century- they were not selling passports, but they were not interested in that and selling citizenship…,” the Prime Minister concluded.

“…presumably, they are- depending on their age- either old or young, fools or clowns… if the basis on it is that you’re either an old fool or an old clown if you don’t sell passports….”

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