'It Was An Honour To Serve' - Bird

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Published on Wednesday, 05 December 2012 10:50

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(Antigua Observer):  ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Exiting Opposition Leader in Parliament Lester Bird has declared it an honour to serve his country – as he prepares to demit office and hand the reins to his younger replacement Gaston Browne.

“It has been an honour to serve as Her Majesty’s Leader of the Opposition, and I am certain that my successor (Gaston Browne) will continue to give of his very best to this high office,” Bird said in a statement.

The 74 year old kept up a valiant fight for the post of Antigua Labour Party’s (ALP) political leader, despite controversy over his ailing health and widespread debate over his ability to lead the party to victory in the next general elections.

Bird yesterday revealed that, following his loss to Browne at the party’s November 25 convention, he recently wrote to Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack indicating he wishes to step down. He is awaiting a response from her.

“I just thought to do that instead of holding on to the office, looking as if I am so in love with power and that I want to hold on to the situation, when our constitution says I should relinquish it,” Bird told OBSERVER Media.

The former prime minister said he made the decision to vacate the spot immediately without consulting the newly-elected Browne.

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