by- The Mirror Holder
The recent news confirming that a sitting Independent Senator is seeking nomination to contest a seat for the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) in St. Phillip’s South forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about the integrity of our public service appointments.
Let me be clear: I hold no ill will toward any individual’s personal or political aspirations. Ambition, in and of itself, is not a flaw. However, when a public service role explicitly designed for impartiality becomes a clear staging post for partisan politics, it inevitably raises fundamental questions about the integrity of that service.
The Conflict of Perception and Honor
The very purpose of the Governor-General’s discretionary independent senatorial appointment is to inject non-aligned, expert, or community-focused perspectives into the Upper House, providing a crucial layer of scrutiny detached from the daily political whipsaw. While that Senator may have diligently served with independence while holding the seat, the very act of seeking a party ticket irrevocably alters that perception. Once a partisan path is actively chosen, the public is left to wonder: Were the views expressed in the Senate truly independent, or were they always framed by a future political agenda?
This brings us to the question of honour and timing. In the spirit of Westminster convention, the moment a Senator is formally nominated to contest an elected office—especially for a party—they should immediately resign their appointed post. The Constitution implies this when it states a Senator must resign if nominated to run for the House of Representatives. Our regional inclination to keep the appointed seat warm while campaigning suggests a disappointing lack of commitment to honourable political conduct, prioritizing a safety net over clear allegiance.
The Patronage Trap: Rewarding Loyalty Over Competence
This entire situation feeds into a wider, deeply troubling trend: the use of appointed positions—including Senate seats and Ministry roles—as political rewards rather than instruments of governance.
We have seen instances, including reports surrounding recent primaries in the region (like St. George’s), where candidates who lose party primaries are swiftly rewarded with high-level government appointments, such as Senator or Ministry roles. If this is the accepted norm, then we are not seeking the best to govern; we are simply compensating the most loyal. If primary losers are rewarded for party loyalty, then it must be acknowledged that an Independent Senator seeking a partisan seat and resigning only after a loss is simply playing a different version of the same game.
A Call to Action: Demand a Higher Standard
It is time for a fundamental shift in how we approach politics and governance in Antigua and Barbuda.
To the Sitting Government and All Parties: Stop treating essential governing roles—boards, commissions, and even Senate seats—as spoils for party faithful or consolation prizes for electoral losses. The nation requires competence coupled with the will to serve the whole country. Appoint individuals not because they are dependable party soldiers, but because their expertise and dedication to national betterment are undeniable. Utilize non-partisan experts, technocrats, and committed citizens in policy drafting and on boards, empowering them without forcing them to trade their independence for a seat at the table.
To the Public: We must champion those who embody Kennedy’s call to service—those who want to contribute to nation-building without needing the title of MP or Minister to do so. We must support pathways for service that do not demand the compromise of principle.
In wishing the individual well on her political journey, I sincerely trust that throughout this transition, she does not lose sight of the woman she is, or the core values of service and integrity she has long upheld. These principles, not a party affiliation, are what truly serve Antigua and Barbuda best.
