On Tuesday night, five Barbuda Peoples Movements (BPM) candidates introduced themselves ahead of the March 26 Barbuda Council elections by launching a blistering critique of the Gaston Browne-led Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) government.
Leading the onslaught was Barbuda Council Chairman Devon Warner who said the ABLP cared nothing about Barbuda and that prime minister Browne has made it his mission to minimise the influence of Barbudans on the island.
“When it comes to Barbuda, Gaston Browne and his Antigua Labour Party have thrown the Constitution out the window. They swore to uphold the Constitution. They swore not to disenfranchise us as a people, but that is exactly what has been taking place in Barbuda,” Warner declared.
He went on to accuse the government of not only disregarding the island’s rights but also of engaging in what he termed “cultural genocide”. Warner referenced inflammatory remarks made by the Prime Minister, saying that calling Barbudans “deracinated imbeciles” and “inbreeders” pointing to the deep disrespect shown by the administration.
Warner also dismissed claims that the Peace, Love and Happiness (PLH) project—lauded by the government as a pillar of Barbuda’s sustainability—was effectively supporting the island. “PLH, before last week Thursday, has not paid a dollar to the Barbuda Council since March 2024,” he stated, pointing to a recent payment of $1,259,891.29 as a desperate attempt to cover previous shortfalls. The Council is now in court with PLH over overdue funds, further fuelling criticism of the Labour party’s fiscal promises.
Joining Warner, BPM candidates Jacklyn Frank, Wayde Burton, Nico Antonio, Nadia George, and Melanie Beazer each delivered impassioned speeches. Frank rallied residents, urging them to be ready to protest and use legal avenues to defend Barbuda’s communal land system—a unique right that allows every Barbudan to register for a piece of land free of charge upon reaching 18.
“Violence and intimidation is what the prime minister is going to come with because he cannot use the law. He has never proven that our communal land system does not exist,” Frank declared. “The land belongs to Barbudans and others who have settled here and you have to be prepared to stand up and show him that.”
Frank said the labour party contenders – Bernard Alexander Christian and Bonita John-Desouza, alongside returning figures Mackeisha Desouza, Orlando Morris, and former minister Arthur Nibbs – posed no challenge to the BPM slate.
“We’ve been in the struggle and we will continue to fight on,” chided Nadia George, noting that the BPM is 100 per cent behind continuing a communal land system for Barbuda. “Nowhere in the world can you go and register and get a piece of land free but here in Barbuda you have that right, you have that privilege as Barbudans.”
The BPM candidates collectively called on eligible voters not to align themselves with political parties but to choose representation that defends Barbuda’s rights and heritage.
