About 75 supporters of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) picketed the Office of the Prime Minister, Thursday morning, one day after Justice Louise Blenman invalidated the victory of three of the United Progressive Party members of parliament in the general elections of 2009.
The seats in question are St John’s Rural West occupied by Prime Minister Baldwin, St John’s Rural North, occupied by John Maginley and St George, occupied by Dr Jacqui Quinn-Leandro.
The decision left the Lower House with a seven-seven split, with the UPP depending on the allegiance of MP for Barbuda Trevor Walker. The government, however, got a reprieve, after Justice David Harris granted an ex-parte stay of execution.
The ALP, lead by Political Leader Lester Bird, beat the pavement outside the gates with one clear objective.
“We’re gonna continue to picket and demonstrate to Baldwin Spencer (that) he should get his butt out of in there,” Bird said.
“The judgment has come down; three of them are no longer members of parliament and should no longer be in the parliament. We should be the government of the day, and I should be the prime minister,” he added.
ALP Chairman and Deputy Political Leader Gaston Browne said Thursday’s action is part of a sustained plan of activism.
“We’re gonna picket; we’re gonna march; we’re gonna use the courts; we’re gonna use all legal and democratic means available to us; and I just want to make it abundantly clear that we will not relent. We have an illegitimate government in place, an illegitimate prime minister. He has no right in that office. As our political leader indicated, we are gonna do all in our power to get him out of there ASAP, in the public’s interest,” Browne told OBSERVER.
The deputy leader also scoffed at the appeal process enshrined in the Constitution, saying, “At the end of the day, this is a decision for the people, not for the courts.”
Browne urged PM Spencer to call by-elections forthwith.
Later in the day, a legal opinion rendered on the ALP-aligned radio station said any entity or person who enters into agreement with or takes instructions from PM Spencer or the UPP would be subject to “vicarious liability.” That opinion found favour with ALP spokespersons, who spent the day calling the government unconstitutional.
“I think that’s a scare tactic; that’s political rhetoric, political machinations, and it is far removed from the legal position at this time,” Attorney General Justin Simon said of the opinion and the ALP’s new refrain.
“The UPP is still the governing party and it is going to be business as usual with respect of the governing of the country. That notwithstanding, we’re aware that the ALP will mount (protests),” Simon said.
“That is something which is to be expected; as a political party, nobody is going to prevent then them from having a picket so long as it is peaceful. It is all part and parcel of the democratic process. In terms of the legal and constitutional situation, the government is still in place, and Honourable Baldwin Spencer remains the prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda,” the AG said.
The chief legal counsel called the situation novel, adding, “The process has to take its course. There are legal procedures and legal rules which govern the situation.”
It is obvious that certain ppl don’t want order in the country!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
LESTER AND HIS GANG ARE TELLING THE OUT SIDE WORLD HOW HUNGRY THEY’RE FOR POWER. NOT A WORD ABOUT WETHER THE PEOPLE WILL GET RUNNING WATER IN THERE AREA OR NOT. ANTIGUA PEOPLE WILL FOREVER BE IN POVERTY BECAUSE CERTAIN POLITICIANS CONTINUE TO USE THEM. ON THIS HOLY THURSDAY I’M BEGGING US TO BACK OFF FROM THEM A LITTLE BIT AND SOON WE’LL SEE OUR INDIVIDUAL LIVES IMPROVE. THEY, ALP, ARE BIG TIME USERS OF THE LESS FORTUNATE AND CONTINUES TO GRIND THEM TO THE END. IF AFTER TWO DECADES YOU COUDN’T DO IT I STRONGLY BELEIVE,COUPLED WITH ADVANCEMENT IN TECNOLOGY, THAT THESE GUYS ARE ONLY ABOUT SELF. THEY NEED TO FIND A CHURCH AND LIVE THERE.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Both of you need to wake up and smell the coffee! We never suffered like this under ALP! They say that ALP was thief but UPP ten times worse cause they taking the food out of our mouths and still stealing! ALP still left some for us.They repaired a bathroom at YASCO sports complex that cost over $600,000.00. Is a bathroom worth so much? Where the money gone??? I help put them there but UPP need to go!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is absolutely ridiculous! If the judge ordered a bi-election and there is a seven seven split; how does Lester become Prime minister before for instance one of the government’s side who has the majority support? These ppl are twisters of justice..how legitimate do Lester, Molwyn and Tco feel in office when according to THEIR Judge the late start of the poll affected the outcome. Their polling started after 10:ooam. and St. Peters started well after 11:00. In the three former constitutncies they won by less than 100 votes,,,in the cas eof Molwyn, he won by 18 votes, Tco by 81 and Lester by 89. Why don’t they stop this charade. The Judge (who everyone with eyes to see knows is not an impartial judge) clearly stated it was the incompetence of the Commisssion which caused the illegality. why are they not piointing out therefore that they too are illegally elected. The smell of power is a helluva ting!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
In the coming weeks, we’ll see internal chaos with UPP government. It’s going to take a magic wand to keep them from not fighting amongst themselves. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer is not a happy man with this ruling becuase he now looks like a “Null and Void” Prime Minisister of our country. LOL. For those UPP supporters, you can’t blame the ALP for picketing the Office of the Prime Minister. Wouldn’t the UPP done the same thing, if they were in this position? In politics, when you have momentum, you use it to the best of your abilities.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Pull Up, see right there is our problem. The belief that everything is , and is supposed to be politics. If that is true then the question I ask is, What kind of govt ALP intend to run if they by some quirk regains, or retakes, power? The whole confusion would just start again from the other side. At the moment, the court is ruling our nation and ALP is setting up a scenario for that to cntinue well into the future. Just think of what Lester could say to calm the people the first month an ALP govt cannot pay them. Think of what will happen when Lester inform the nation that the taxes must stay because he has no other way to raise revenue. The confidence of a people is needed to run a country and when you fight and breakdown to get power what are you going to use to sustain it? You guessed it, a police state is what we are moving towards if ALP ever thief power again.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The ALP had 28 years since the British kicked them out, and then the UPP got another eight. How long of a “sustained campaign” of incompetence, corruption and thievery can a tiny irrelevant island continue before it is simply allowed to sink under it’s own weight?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is really a challenging period for my adopted home, Antigua. I hope God’s grace prevails.
Has the Prime Minister formally addressed the people of this country yet on recent developments? I do hope so. Sometimes, I get the impression, he is very passive but I am sure, this element in itself, shows some level of maturity. He is a cool guy.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Antiguans and Barbudans, what short memory do you have? Don’t you remember when, in days gone by, there was no global recession, and we could not get our salaries at the end of the month? Don’t you remember all the scandals about impropriety, graft and corruption? Don’t you remember the rape of the Treasury and all the Statutory bodies that had money? Don’t you remember while we were suffering some persons, with their close friends and family, were “flying high,” with our patrimony under their wings? Don’t you remember how they gave away our lands in exchange for party donations? Now some of you are saying those were “the good ole days.” If so, you are suckers for punishment! You will forever be victims of habit. Like a woman who is abused by her spouse yet she refuses to leave him because that’s all she knows, you are not prepared to make the sacrifice that change requires. If you want the ALP back in office, well God Bless Antigua and Barbuda!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Lester and the ALP showing their desperation for the whole world to see.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
good mornin my people-wat about antigua an barbuda,wat about rite an wrong? wat about our future,way about our youths? wat about all the teachings we had as children,wat about each endeavouring-all acheving? wat about equal rites an justice 4all?…sorry 4 all u who keep goin on bout alp/bird,,upp/spencer-ur all blind an need 2 check spec savers or jus keep ur eyes closed..politricks is destroying our/my antigua/barbuda,,an people jus carry on like dis/dat party goin make things better-will de real people for our twin island state make ur voices heard,,im sick an tired of big people,grown ,educated,sensible adults make fooolz of dem self ,wen it involves upp/alp..im able 2vote,but choose not2,im antiguan born an bred,,
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As Antigua and Barbuda announced it would take action to counter the smear campaign launched by investors who lost money in Allen Stanford’s alleged US$8 billion fraud, a group of Europeans gave its support to the Americans and Latin Americans in their boycott calls.
The Stanford Victims Coalition (SVC) European Group is demanding that the Baldwin Spencer administration hand over Stanford property or suffer the consequences. It wants the government to act in accordance with a treaty which the investors said was co-signed with Germany and the United Kingdom.
Just last Friday, it was announced that Minister of State in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Senator Joanne Massiah, who is also an attorney, had been chosen to spearhead government’s response to the ‘Anti-Antigua’ campaign that was launched by the SVC’s US group at the New York Times Travel Show last month.
“Owing to the viciousness of this campaign and the overwhelming negative effects it could have on our economy and citizens’ welfare, government cannot afford a simple knee-jerk reaction that could do more harm than good,” Senator Massiah was quoted in the ministry statement. The announcement followed weeks of questions about how the government intended to respond to the investors’ offensive. After the Americans launched their campaign to get travel agents, tourists and investors to stop supporting the country, the Latin American group said the move had its backing and it would be aiming to get a boycott of cruise lines which continue to stop in Antigua and Barbuda.
Then, this weekend, the Europeans issued their statement.
“The European Branch of the SVC would like the Prime Minister and his government to invoke Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the treaty that was co-signed by Antigua and the United Kingdom and also Germany ‘For the Promotion and Protection of Investments’,” the statement said, noting that Article 4 of the Treaty addresses the Compensation for losses, Article 5 addresses Expropriation of land and assets by governments, and Article 6 addresses the Repatriation of Investment and Returns.
“We demand they honour the treaty,” the investors insisted. “Return the lands and assets ‘expropriated’, make good the loans of around $230 million dollars they acquired from Stanford and begin talks with the government leaders of Great Britain, Germany, France, the United States and all other countries involved. This will send a clear signal to the rest of the world that Antigua takes its obligations seriously and intends to clean up its international reputation.”
They have alleged, like the American investors, that the Spencer administration has refused to engage in dialogue with the investors.
“The government of Antigua has been given every opportunity to deal with this matter and correct their error in judgement when they seized the Stanford lands and property…For over one year the government of Antigua have steadfastly refused to enter into any debate or contact with the SVC, despite repeated letters and requests for them to do so,” they added.
The Europeans have warned that their campaign will be conducted throughout the whole of Europe and “the repercussions of this action will resound throughout the whole of the island and will affect every person living there.”
In addition to the boycott campaign, Stanford investors have filed class-action lawsuits seeking US$24 billion in compensation from Antigua and Barbuda.
caribbean360
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
fellow antiguans wake up.. for 28 years of alp regime the country was so stagnant that it started to stink…god have finnaly blessed us with a change why not come together and make it better,,,have we forgotten so soon or are we glutten for punishment,,no country can run without taxes so what are we griping about…how will we feel when lester bird says the taxes have to stay…think we should be thankful for upp ,come together and make it better instead of pulling ourselves into that same dark hole we call alp.MAY GOD HELP OUR SOULS
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hungry…you just born where were you when Antiguan’s could not get pay for mouths, I no you no the you are lying ,but you are to politically blend to see .
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I will never vote back that retarded backward corrupt UPP again…hope they now realize to always put the people first before their get rich quick ambitions.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Logic, I totally agree with you. Your argument is completely logical. That judgment must be challenged as it has serious implications for future elections. A mere breach of the provisions of the electoral rules is not enough grounds to declare an election invalid. It must be clear that the results were affected by the breach. To determine if the results were affected, the judge needed to use a scientific approach by applying statistics and probability. If this was done, based on the percentage turn out and the margin of victory it is clear that the will of the people was clearly expressed in at least two of the cases that were declared invalid.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Peoples, re-evaluate yourselves and each of you would realize, that none of you are making any valid points or arguments. Are the peoples in Antigua still blaming politicians for their present day way of life. Take a look at the second photo (from top) my fellow Antiguans, that appears to be a gentleman of Indian decent supposably a Trinidadian or Guyanese. Antigua has a time overbearing judicial system, uneducated and lazy law enforcement, lazy public service, and an uncontrolled teenage population. Antigua is not the way it is because of Politicians, it is way it is because of of the people. The peoples of Antigua refuse and is afraid to take matters into their own hands added to the fact that the well educated, highly certified, experience individuals refuse to lead Antigua into a new frontier.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
There is a rumor that Justice Blenman, Lester Bird and his lawyer had dinner the night before the decision was handed down. Now, I am not a conspiracy theorist; however, something stinks in Denmark when a judge hands down a decision and then scampers off and out of the country without stopping to hear an oral application for a stay of execution of her order. This is unprecedented and I hope that the necessary authorities will sanction this judge for not following the law.
Now, her ruling itself is suspect. As the Hon. Harold Lovell so eloquently stated, there is abosolutely no basis in law or reason for her decision. Polls that were open on time had the same percentage (approx 80%) turn out of voters. For the judge to rule the way she did strikes me as a political move.
It is quite sad and laughable the way that Gaston and Lester are hungry for power. They are the ones who used the courts and now that the UPP wish to follow legal process in fighting this erroneous ruling, Gaston wants to say that its a matter for the people and not the courts. What a hypocrite. Lester should be ashamed of himself. As an elder statesman and a lawyer to boot, he should know the law and Constitution of Antigua & Barbuda inside out (he has ruled the country for decades). How can he, someone who is legally trained, condone the type of marches and protests and bs that is now going on in our country. How can he be calling for the Prime Minister, who was legally put into office, leave office and have him illegally instituted. Lester needs to retire. It is apparent that he has become senile.
People of Antigua & Barbuda, ALP does not care about us. They are only interested in regaining power at any and all costs. There is a reason that we voted them out of power in the first place. How can we listen to them and let them swindle and bamboozle their way back into power. They are willing to see blood run in the streets of our country if it means that they get back into power.
Lets not be fooled by ALP again. Wake up my people.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i,m not fund of either party , as i, say before lester is power hungry and spencer don,t know what to do ,with the country.if antiguans want to go back to the past ,stay in the present or look to the future look for an alternative motive to the future.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When you and whosoever else were reaping huge profits from Stanford he was the best thing since slice bread, and your big capitalist secret to keep. Now that you have been bitten you look for someone/country to blame. Leave Antigua ALONE!!! The rate of return on any investment is equivalent to the risk taken, and prudent or half educated investor knows that. People like you should be declared persona non grata and banished from our fair Antigua. Antigua and Antiguans are the true victims here.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When you and whosoever else were reaping huge profits from Stanford he was the best thing since slice bread, and your big capitalist secret to keep. Now that you have been bitten you look for someone/country to blame. Leave Antigua ALONE!!! The rate of return on any investment is equivalent to the risk taken, and prudent or half educated investor knows that. People like you should be declared persona non grata and banished from our fair Antigua. Antigua and Antiguans are the true victims here.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When you and whosoever else were reaping huge profits from Stanford he was the best thing since slice bread, and your big capitalist secret to keep. Now that you have been bitten you look for someone/country to blame. Leave Antigua ALONE!!! The rate of return on any investment is equivalent to the risk taken, and prudent or half educated investor knows that. People like you should be declared persona non grata and banished from our fair Antigua. Antigua and Antiguans are the true victims here.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I belive that the Judge Blenman was biased and bribed. Here are the facts that suggest this
1. She is a Guyanese and most guyanes feel that UPP is anti-foreigener and she would love to see the back of UPP
2. She is a knowm ALP supporter
3. She has been heard saying alot of negative things about UPP
4. Month and a half before the decision was given, someone called me and told me that they heard ALP had won 3 of the cases.
5. ALP politicians were able to declare victory long before the decsion
6. A well-known ALP lawyer told a UPP politician weeks before the decision that UPP should be buckling because they are in constant contact and communication with the judge.
7. Right after the decision on Wednesday, a well-known rich ALP parliamentarian said “I have the money.” Why would he be saying this if it is not connected to the case?
Then, talk about the actual reasoning of the judge. This woman not only showed her bias, but her dunceness, and stupidity. Her ruling would set a bad precedent: any time an election does not start at 6a.m., even if it a few minutes after, it can be declared invalid. She is too stupid to be a judge. But that sort of wickedness will not prevail. UPP has too many God-fearing, praying Christians, and God will not allow wicked people to reign over us (anymore)!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
How can we forget that the alp under lester bryant bird leadership was considered to be one of the most corrupt government in the whole world, what credibility do they have when the same cast of players are involved, its like pitting a square peg in a round hole just food fo thought.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Its amazing to me how both party’s enjoy using the name of God before they proceed to do wrong. “God-fearing Antiguan” the ruling ever said an election would be invalid if it started after 6 am. The added criteria was if it opened so late that enough persons were not able to cast their votes in a manner that could weigh on the outcome. If the election had started late and lets say there were a total of 1K eleigible voters and all voted or only 501 voted, however the persons with the highest numbers had over 500 votes, that election would be deemed valid. The judge felt it was not her job to guess who the 499 electors would have voted for or if they would have voted at all.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hungry, Jesus said, let those who are hungry and thirsty come to me, and I will show them the way.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The ALP started their campaign to ruin Antigua when Papa Bird convinced the British to kick Antigua out of the British Empire.
As George Bush’s banner said: Mission Accomplished. What Antiguans didn’t do themselves, the SVC Truth Campaign will.
Welcome to Papa Birds prophecy under the Tamarind Tree: Antiguans will drink pond water, and eat cockles and widdly widdly bush.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
PANAMA CITY — The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that approximately $14.2 million has been secured for the benefit of the worldwide victims of R. Allen Stanford’s alleged multi-billion dollar fraud scheme. The Receiver expects these funds to be returned to the receivership estate by June 2010.
This recovery was accomplished by the extensive cooperation between SEC staff and other regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions and the court-appointed Receiver in the Commission’s enforcement action against R. Allen Stanford and others. As a result of these efforts, the Receiver was able to close on a sales contract of certain Stanford-related entities located in Republic of Panama to third party purchasers, with the sale proceeds provided to the receivership estate.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If the people of Antigua vote this ALP cult party back into power, it would be like returning to Egypt, after God himself liberated us from the slave pits of the Birds and the ALP cult party. Ungratefulness is worst than witchcraft, and witchcraft is a denial of God’s power. People of Antigua fast and pray, that God will fight our battle, and wipe these demons from our land.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Only people who are lazy and want to pimp off of the Labour Party politicians, that will vote for them.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Do you really think God spends her time worrying about the 1/879,000,000,000,000th of her creations that are the human beings on Antigua? You do realize there are easily 10 billion times more plankton in the Antarctic than Antiguan humans. Even among humans, Antiguans represent less than .00034%. What God would spend her time worried about such a pathetically small bit of her creation?
More like All that and LESS!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0