S2.E24: Asot's Speech An Indictment Of Politics' Moral Bankruptcy

The Big Issues

The Antigua Barbuda Labour Party's most scandalized MP, Asot Michael, lunched a stern rebuke of the Gaston Browne administration’s A+ rating of its performance, lavishing the government with criticism for what Michael says is the deliberate neglect of his St. Peter constituency. But whether or not he meant to do so, he was also casually acknowledging many of the ineffective, unethical and even underhanded ways in which politics is practiced in the country, and more importantly, by himself and by his own party.

He's continuing a trend, in fact. Since his fallout began with the Prime Minister back in 2020, ostensibly over Michael's scandals, their sparring in Parliament has revealed much about corruption, dishonesty, and clientelism in politics both during the current Gaston Browne-led ABLP administration and under previous administrations. In this episode we ask: What can we learn from Asot Michael’s contribution to the 2022 budget debate?

This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on February 20th, 2022. The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

1. Akaash Maharaj, an Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption known also as GOPAC. GOPAC is an International nongovernmental organization made up of parliamentarians from across the world, working together to combat corruption, strengthen good government, and uphold the rule of law.
2. Peter Wickham, Director of the polling and research firm, Caribbean Development Research Services. He has done numerous electoral polls in Antigua and Barbuda, and elsewhere in the region. He is a commentator on Caribbean political and social affairs. He is often retained by the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).
3. Dr. David Hinds, a political commentator and writer from Guyana. He is an Associate Professor of African and African American studies at the Arizona State University. His focus is on Caribbean and African Diaspora Studies. His research interests include governance and politics in the Caribbean, and Black political leadership.

Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.