ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A number of residents have expressed support for Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer’s plan to fire two United Progressive Party (UPP) Senators who rejected the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) Bill.
At the same time, though, many other people have strongly objected his decision and labelled him a dictator.
The views relate to Friday’s announcement by Spencer, who said he would soon move to have the appointment of Senators Colin Derrick and Anthony Stuart revoked because they “embarrassed” the government by voting against the very Bill upon which the ruling administration’s 2013 Budget hinges.
The prime minister is yet to tell the public whether he has accepted the resignations of another two UPP Senators, Malaka Parker and David Massiah, who did not support the Bill when it went before the Senate about two weeks ago.
“The prime minister is absolutely right. It’s just like if you give somebody an order and they decide ‘arwe nar do um.’ If they had all those qualms about the Bill they could have gone to (Senator) Dr Errol Cort or the Prime Minister at an earlier stage,” one commentator said.
The individual – who called in to OBSERVER Radio – said had that been done, then the Prime Minister or Dr Cort could have addressed the areas of concern among the Senators and a compromise could have been met.
“If you disagree, tell me upfront and we could discuss it and thrash it out. I’m in support (of) the prime minister for what he did. Yes he should have called them in, but they could have gone to him as well,” another caller added.
On the other hand, another person weighing in said, even as the Senators are yet to be sacked, the prime minister has done them wrong by publicly calling their actions into question.
“I understand when the prime minister picked the senators they are supposed to be independent minded people, people who are able to think on certain issues and give their own views as they see it. The place for doing that is in the Senate. I don’t think he made the right move,” the individual concluded.
Another contributor who shared the preceding view, said the country’s leader is trampling on democracy.
“This has to do with the sovereignty of Antigua & Barbuda. I think the prime minister is abusing his power and authority in this matter. This goes back to our rights. I want to encourage the prime minister to rethink this process, shelve it,” a woman said.
Stuart, one of the Senators to be sacked, said the prime minister is about to make a dictatorial move.
“This is like a dictatorship where you can’t say anything; where you can’t be objective in the party. Where you are going to bring in senators, what are they going to do? Say yes, yes? They’re not going to critique anything?” he posited.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
‘Referendum’ for CIP
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MR. Spencer should stop acting like a dictator. If antigua is a democracy then MR. Derrick has right to voice his his objection. Come next election, there will be a change at the top.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Spencer is acting like a damn dictator and we should rid ourselves of him very soon.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Observer News always find ways to make UPP’s actions looks as the General public supports them… The facts is Most Antiguan and Barbudan DON’T SUPPORT the SELLING of A&B PASSPORTS..If the Upp can’t find creative ways to find investments and create work for Citizen and Residents….If you can’t do the job, leave the place. Observer Stop foolng the public…. do a poll on-air first before writing this lie.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I think the Prime Minister has dealt himself and his party a serious blow by getting rid of these senators. His actions seem like those of a dictator and as a result many have lost confidence in his leadership. The PM seems desperate for this bill to pass; his party has no other idea to turn around this economy but to sell passports. They are lazy and lack vision. We use to be able to come up with ways to attract investment to Antigua and Barbuda, but this government has resigned to just taxing us and now selling our dignity. Bunch of LOSERS!!!!!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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This headline is sensational and misleading. The body of the article, reflects the opposite sentiments that the headline implies..,who vetted or edited this? Ridiculous…
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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