Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pushed back firmly against criticism of his practice of distributing money directly to citizens, insisting the gestures represent compassion rather than corruption.
According to Antigua.news, Browne addressed the controversy head-on during his Labour Day speech, rejecting accusations that publicly handing out cash constitutes vote-buying or bribery.
"When I give them $100, $200… I am not bribing anybody. I have an obligation to share," Browne said.
The Prime Minister framed the practice as a moral responsibility grounded in his personal connection to the Antiguan people. "I have an obligation to care. I have an obligation to love the people of this country," he added.
The remarks come amid heightened political debate following the recent general election, during which opposition voices raised concerns about the influence of financial assistance on voters.
Browne dismissed those concerns, casting his actions as expressions of empathy and solidarity with the working class. "We are products of you… that is why we will continue to share the little we have with you," he said.
The Prime Minister's comments are expected to intensify ongoing debate on the matter. Critics are likely to question the optics and broader implications of such public gestures, while supporters view them as evidence of a leader who remains connected to ordinary citizens.
Browne made clear he has no intention of altering the practice, positioning personal generosity as a defining characteristic of his leadership.
