Maria Bird-Browne vows to win Antigua seat

Wife of PM standing in St John’s Rural East

Wednesday, 13th December 2017

Maria Bird-Browne has publicly announced her entrance into active politics by stating she will win the St John’s Rural East seat for the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.

The wife of current prime minister Gaston Browne made her first public comments on the news she will run at a wreath laying ceremony honouring her grandfather, VC Bird – the first prime minister of the country.

“For the first time after my nomination, I, Maria Vanessa Bird-Browne, will graciously take this opportunity, to publicly pledge my full commitment to the people of St Johns Rural East,” she said.

“I pledge to you today that I will work relentlessly and whole-heartedly for your advancement.”

She warned opposition parties that the constituency would “once again be brought home to the Antigua Labour Party” and that “as a team, together, we will work even harder to achieve the ultimate goal of creating an economic powerhouse.”

Following his wife’s speech, Browne said his wife was chosen based on the results of a poll commissioned by the party.

Earlier this week the party was forced to deny that the prime minister was influencing selection of candidates. In other news, the prime minister revealed that Asot Michael – who was unceremoniously stripped of ministerial responsibilities when he was arrested near London in October – will be returning as a candidate.