The newly elected Member of Parliament for St Peter, Rawdon Turner, delivered his maiden speech in the Honourable House, expressing gratitude and outlining his commitment to serving his constituents.
Addressing the Speaker and fellow parliamentarians, Turner began by thanking God for the health and strength to serve. He extended special appreciation to his mother, partner, and his team in St Peter, acknowledging their pivotal role in securing his seat in Parliament.
He also conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the constituents who voted overwhelmingly in his favour.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Turner described himself as a product of the village community in St Peter, where he was raised with the collective support of many. “It is an honour for me to stand here representing the very persons who had a role to play in my education and upbringing,” he said.
He reminisced about his childhood dreams of participating in national governance, recalling how he once watched parliamentary proceedings and aspired to be part of the official group photograph taken at the end of the throne speech.
Following the 2023 general elections, he was appointed to the Senate and had the opportunity to stand among what he termed the “giants of politics” in the nation. He described the moment as a realisation of the power of words and personal ambition, stating, “Life and death is in the power of the tongue… you can speak words into reality.”
Turner also extended his gratitude to the Prime Minister for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving as a minister and a cabinet member. He assured both his colleagues and the people of Antigua and Barbuda that he would work diligently to fulfil his duties to the best of his ability.
Concluding his address, he reaffirmed his dedication to public service, stating, “I will work hard and I will do my best to serve them to the best of my ability.”
His speech was met with applause as he took his place among the nation’s elected representatives, marking the beginning of his tenure as MP for St Peter.