Prime Minister Gaston Browne has suggested that opposition MPs Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, Algernon “Serpent” Watts, and Richard Lewis are attempting to break away from the United Progressive Party (UPP) and form their own political entity —a move he believes is tied to their recent request for concessionary land in Deep Bay Heights.
“Apparently, they want to make a move and start a new party,” Browne said. “And to leave the UPP, they need money. If all three of them could get a box-hand, get land worth about $2 million each, that would probably help them make the plunge.”
The government has denied the MPs’ bid for land in Deep Bay Heights, a prime location reserved for high-end tourism development. The area, valued at US$20 per square foot, has been set aside for potential investment by Sunwing, the operator of Royalton Antigua Resort.
Gaston Browne revealed that Simon, Watts, and Lewis submitted formal requests to purchase one acre each at a heavily discounted rate of just US$1.50 per square foot.
“They wanted to pay about $200,000 for land worth over $2 million,” Browne stated. “And they want us to take the land from Sunwing and sell it to them personally.”
Browne questioned why the opposition MPs were seeking land in such a prime area rather than other government-allocated spaces. He suggested that their actions point to a personal financial strategy rather than genuine public service.
“They did not even go to an area where land has been sold for maybe $5 a square foot,” Browne said. “They went straight for the most valuable land, which tells you what their real motivation is.”
He indicated that this move aligns with rumors of internal divisions within the UPP, with Simon, Watts, and Lewis allegedly positioning themselves for a political shift.
Browne further criticized the MPs for their lack of engagement in parliamentary proceedings while pursuing personal benefits.
“Neither Shugy nor Serpent has spoken more than three times in Parliament,” Browne said. “And on each occasion, they have not spoken for more than five minutes.”
He also pointed to Simon’s absence from Parliament to attend Trinidad’s Carnival, saying it exemplified a disregard for public duty.
“He not only absented himself but when confronted, he literally cursed out the Parliament,” Browne said. “This guy doesn’t care.”
Despite his criticisms, Browne confirmed that the government has approved land for the opposition MPs —just not in Deep Bay Heights.
“The Cabinet agreed that we would sell them land at a concession rate because we’re not trying to deprive them of the opportunity,” Browne said. “But where they went and what they were trying to achieve was something else.”