Parties Trade Bribery Claims

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Politics

Friday, 20 February 2009 15:34

By Dale Herbert

Former prime minister Lester Bird is challenging statements by PM Baldwin Spencer made at Wednesday night's Justice March in St John's.
The leader of the ruling United Progressive Party (UPP) had boasted to supporters that his party was not for sale, alluding that Bird's Antigua Labour Party is attempting to buy votes.
But Bird has levelled claims of hypocrisy, saying Spencer's party has been doling out duty free concessions to potential electors.

"The UPP claims to be transparent, and Spencer constantly points to the so-called 'trilogy' of integrity legislation that the UPP has introduced," Bird said.

He said these alleged actions prove the UPP is not as transparent as it claims to be, but rather is made up of hypocrites who are engaged in underhanded deals.

He also alleged that the UPP has been distributing parcels of land to woo voters.
Bird said anyone who has received a duty-free concession should consider it a tax return  under an excessive taxation system.

"These persons owe the UPP politicians nothing, and therefore have no obligation to vote for them," he said.
But Spencer has levelled similar claims, accusing members of the opposition of giving away huge sums of money under the guise of being generous and wanting to help the people.

"This country is not for sale, we cannot be bought," the PM announced.
He also promised that "the campaign will take on a new vitality, 24 hours, 7 days of the week, until judgment day on March 12."

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