http://dominicanewsonline.com- Astaphan

17th August 2012, St. John’s Antigua- Although Antigua Labour Party leader Lester Bird may have difficulty carrying out his duties effectively because of health problems, one of his advisers has suggested that he should be allowed to continue as ALP leader.

Attorney and Antigua Labour Party advocate, Anthony Astaphan, who has appealed to the rest of the party’s leadership to rally behind Bird, says the opposition leader’s illness is not reason enough for him to step down.

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A number of MPs within the ALP’s top brass feel they are qualified to take over the Labour Party’s leadership.

However Astaphan would like to see them deputizing for Bird when he is ill.

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Anthony Astaphan.

Bird’s pronouncement that his illness kept him away from the OECS parliament placed further scrutiny on his ability to lead the island’s main opposition party.

Bird himself has made it clear that he will not resign despite his age and ailing health.

Political analyst Arvel Grant has suggested that the ALP should guard against appearing weak in the eyes of the public.