Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Joanne Massiah has sharply criticised the reappointment of Alex Browne to the Senate for what she described as a brief and purely symbolic stint, calling the move politically hollow.
According to Antigua News Room, Massiah made the remarks during a call-in on the Browne and Browne show on Pointe FM, questioning the timing of the reappointment given that Parliament was expected to be dissolved shortly ahead of a general election.
Massiah argued that no constitutional obligation existed requiring the Senate vacancy to be filled immediately, particularly given the limited timeframe remaining before dissolution.
"There's no constitutional requirement that they have to fill the position… absolutely not," she said, dismissing any suggestion of urgency surrounding the decision.
She went further, branding the move a "poppy show" and suggesting it served little practical purpose beyond optics. "I don't know why Alex himself allowed himself to be poppy showed and paraded," Massiah said, implying the appointment amounted to little more than political theatre.
Her comments came against the backdrop of a final Senate sitting that she said was convened primarily to complete outstanding legislative business ahead of the anticipated parliamentary dissolution.
Massiah also questioned the quality of advice being received within the current administration. "I don't know who is advising these people… nobody's thinking," she said.
The former opposition leader's remarks add to growing debate surrounding political strategy and governance decisions as Antigua and Barbuda moves closer to a general election.
