Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Joanne Massiah
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (January 17, 2023)—The head of the opposition Democratic National Alliance (DNA) is keeping an open mind but is otherwise tight-lipped on the probability of a coalition government emerging from the January 18 elections. Though the two front-runners, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and the United Progressive Party (UPP), are vying for control of parliament, the DNA political leader believes that a third party can win favor with the electorate or become the kingmaker if none meet the required nine seats to form the government.
“I think we are duty-bound to have discussions with both sides. I think we are duty-bound to make a decision which we and our members believe would be in the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Massiah said.
“We have no promises to be made to either side, but we will make a decision that advances the country that includes lives and livelihoods and that in the broader sense is the best thing for Antigua and Barbuda,” she said. This is the party’s second outing for a general election and the first time it is fielding candidates for all 16 seats in Antigua.
In order to form a government, a party or coalition would need at least nine seats in the Lower House. The presence of incumbent St Peter MP Asot Michael as an independent candidate on the ballot has fueled widespread speculation on the possibility of a coalition.
As the country enters the home stretch of the campaign season, Massiah holds firmly to optimism even in the face of limited resources, a comparatively low public profile and a leadership shake-up that saw three of its senior members leaving the organization on the cusp of elections. Internal conflict saw senior executive members Malaka Parker, Bruce Goodwin and Gatesworth James leave the party. Massiah remains unfazed.
“My glass is always half full, never half empty, and so I am expecting good things on election day,” Massiah told Dadli Media Pop UP(DM).
Despite the challenges, Massiah believes the party is buoyed by the energy gained from its youth base who make up most of its candidates. This unique dynamic has influenced the DNA’s approach to campaigning—a larger focus on social media. Instead of the large rallies, the party also focuses on smaller pop-up community events where they can publicize their policies through a public address system.
Massiah says there are two issues that are of greatest concern to the electorate–poor water supply and job availability. For the former, the DNA believes the government has done very little in leveraging its diplomatic ties with governments that possess the technical expertise needed to repair the aging and leaky pipe distribution system. She said her team has been in discussions with local technicians and with others from Cuba and Israel.
“The water situation has become an obsession for me, so working closely with these different technicians, we think we have arrived at the solution for the water problem,” Massiah said. Storage, she said, was also a matter that needs to be addressed. Repairing a network of leaky pipes would cause even further disruptions for consumers, so the DNA political leader has proposed that state-owned Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) truck water to affected customers and bill them at the current water rate. This, Massiah said, would provide some financial ease to customers who routinely purchase water from private companies.
“There is no room in people’s budget, the budget of ordinary people, to afford this kind of cost because salaries and wages have remained unchanged, cost of living is escalating, inflation is going up and these kinds of problems and challenges make conscientious governments more purpose-driven and committed to relieving the burdens of ordinary persons,” Massiah said.
The DNA is proposing job creation through the diversification of the economy. According to Massiah, development of other sectors like the orange economy would help create sustainable job opportunities. The orange economy refers to the “creative economy” that is focused on arts and entertainment. The DNA sees this as a sector that can go far beyond carnival and seasonal activities.
