ANTIGUA | Richard Lewis condemns Gaston Browne's Allegations

ST JOHNS, Antigua, July 21, 2024 - In the sun-drenched islands of Antigua and Barbuda, a political storm is brewing. At the eye of this tempest stands Richard Lewis, the Member of Parliament for St. John's Rural West, a man who has found himself at the center of swirling rumors and allegations.

The tranquil Caribbean air was thick with whispers and speculation. Prime Minister Gaston Browne had set tongues wagging with claims that he and Lewis had been in talks, hinting at a potential shift in the political landscape. 

The rumor mill with PM Gaston Browne allegedly at the wheel, churned out tales of Lewis potentially giving up his seat for an ambassadorship, a move that would shake the foundations of the opposition.

But Lewis, a stalwart figure in Antiguan politics, and who just narrowly lost out in the race for party leadership, was not one to let such claims go unchallenged. With the determination that had become his hallmark, he took to the public stage to set the record straight.

"I, Richard S. Lewis MP, categorically deny and condemn the latest round of baseless propaganda circulating in the media," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction. The palm trees seemed to stand straighter, as if bolstered by his unwavering stance.

Lewis went on to outline a series of points, each one a nail in the coffin of the rumors that had been circulating. He affirmed his commitment to the United Progressive Party (UPP) and his constituents in St. John's Rural West. With fire in his eyes, he stated, "I am not in negotiations with anyone to leave the UPP or to relinquish my position as MP for St. John's Rural West."

The seaside breeze carried his words across the island as he continued, "I am not in negotiations with anyone for any ambassadorial role. I have no interest in running on the ABLP ticket." Each statement was a wave crashing against the rocks of speculation, eroding the foundations of the rumors.

Lewis's commitment to good governance shone through as he spoke of his continued fight against what he saw as the shortcomings of the Gaston Browne Administration. He touched on issues ranging from broken promises on taxes to the cost of living, and what he termed as "unrelenting scandals and squandermania."

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Lewis's final words resonated across the island nation: "I wish to assure the People of Antigua and Barbuda that no one - absolutely no one, inside or outside the ABLP, will ever compel me to 'ease up' on addressing the wrongdoings of the ABLP Administration."

The day ended with Lewis standing firm, a beacon of his principles against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. The political landscape of Antigua and Barbuda remained as complex and vibrant as the coral reefs surrounding the islands, with Richard Lewis continuing to navigate its turbulent waters with unwavering resolve.

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