In his inaugural address to the Lower House yesterday, the newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for St Peter, Rawdon Turner, expressed gratitude to his constituents and Prime Minister Gaston Browne for the confidence placed in him.
MP Turner, who now serves as Minister of Social and Urban Transformation, reflected on his journey from village child to Cabinet member.
“I grew up in an era where it is said that the village raised the child. I’m a product of the village, of one of the villages in St Peter, and it is an honour for me to stand here representing the very persons who had a role to play in my education and my upbringing,” Turner stated during his address.
The new MP revealed that serving in the Lower House has been a lifelong ambition.
“I used to watch the Parliament as a young man and I can remember seeing the photo up at the end of the Throne Speech with all the ministers and the senators. I used to tell myself one day I’m going to be in that photo,” he recalled, noting how his previous stint in the Senate following the 2023 general elections had prepared him for this new responsibility.
Turner, whose ministerial portfolio includes organizing St. John’s commercial areas, regulating street vending, and revitalizing the St. John’s Development Corporation, pledged his commitment to public service.
“I have to say a special thank you to the Prime Minister for giving me the opportunity to serve as a Minister and a member of his Cabinet. I can tell the Prime Minister and my colleagues and the people of St Peter and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, I will work hard and I will do my best to serve them to the best of my ability,” he said.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne welcomed Turner to Parliament, acknowledging the “significant and overwhelming confidence” the people of St Peter have demonstrated in their representative. The Prime Minister encouraged Turner to prioritize the needs of his constituents, particularly those who are vulnerable.
“I’ll also ask you to continue to be empathetic and to be sympathetic to the needs of the constituents. From time to time, you have vulnerable constituents who would need assistance,” Browne advised, adding that MPs should seek ways to support those in need rather than criticize them publicly,” Browne noted.
Looking toward the future, Browne expressed optimism about Turner’s potential in politics.
“I believe that all goes well, you keep well, you live long, that you will have a very successful tenure in this parliament. In fact, you’re young enough and capable enough to become [Prime Minister] of this country,” PM Browne said.
Speaker of the House Osbert Frederick offered Turner guidance for a successful political career, emphasizing three priorities: “Put God first, your people second, country third. Some people might look at me, why that order? No, you can play with number two or number three, but do not play with number one; God first.”
