ST. JOHN'S, Antigua — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended his practice of giving money to individuals at public events, framing it as a personal obligation to help citizens rather than any form of improper conduct. According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the remarks during the joint Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) and Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Labour Day rally.
Browne acknowledged during his address that he occasionally gives small sums of money to members of the public who approach him at such events.
"When you see I leave the platform… and they say they want $100, $200… and I give them… I have an obligation to share," he said.
The prime minister framed the gesture as an expression of genuine care, pushing back against any negative interpretation of the practice.
"I have an obligation to care… to love the people of this country," Browne said.
He grounded his actions in empathy and a shared background with ordinary Antiguans, noting that he and members of his administration come from working-class roots. "We are product of you," he said, reaffirming his commitment to supporting people in tangible ways.
Browne's remarks come amid ongoing political debate about the appropriateness of such gestures from public officials. His defence of the practice formed part of a broader Labour Day address in which he outlined his administration's policies on wages, working conditions, and social support.
The prime minister signalled that he has no intention of stopping the practice, describing it as an integral part of his responsibility as a leader and his connection to the people he serves.
