By Carlena Knight (Antigua Observer) For the first time in Antigua’s history, an independent candidate has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
MP Asot Michael took his oath of allegiance on Friday morning in front of a packed crowd of supporters and other well-wishers.
It’s been a rocky road for Michael who was essentially given the boot from the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) despite his many claims that he is still a member.
Then there were the public disputes with his former friend and colleague, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who throughout the months leading up to the January 18 general elections shockingly left the long-serving ABLP member off of his slate, replacing him with newcomer Rawdon Turner.
There have been several legal battles where this is concerned, but Michael, despite the negative press, managed to regain his seat in St Peter winning by a monumental margin, becoming the first independent candidate in Antigua to win a seat – a win, which he said, belongs not to him, but the people of St Peter.
