Antigua Opposition Plans To Boycott Independence Celebrations

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, October 21, 2016 (CMC) – The main opposition, United Progressive Party (UPP), today, said it would stage a boycott of the independence celebrations, after accusing the Gaston Browne administration of using the occasion to push its own political agenda on the Antigua and Barbuda population.

“Based on the hurtful polices, based on (a) stupid and divisive independent theme, which the UPP condemns, and, as a result of this divisive theme, the UPP executive has taken a unanimous decision that we will not officially participate in anything having to do with the independence, because the theme is …not in keeping with the high standards set in prior themes, where we emphasised togetherness,” UPP public relations officer, Damanoi Tabor, said.

The theme for the Independence anniversary is “Building an Economic Powerhouse Together” and Culture Minister, Chet Greene, speaking at the launch of the celebrations, today, said the theme had even been accepted by regional delegates attending a conference, here, earlier this week.

Greene, speaking on Observer Radio, here , urged nationals to embrace the theme.

“I had the occasion to speak on Monday at a Services Symposium, put on by the CARICOM, (and) I can tell you the level of the support that that theme won, when I referenced it, as a matter of fact I challenged the CARICOM nations to join and to make this a region-wide, not only slogan but a call to action for the region”.

Greene said that “alone we will go fast but, as a region, we will go far”.

Antigua and Barbuda gained its political independence from Britain on November 1, 1981 and since coming to office two years ago, the Browne administration has been pushing plans to make the two-island state become an economic powerhouse in the region.