Description

Why did voters really reject the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) at the referendum three years ago? In this episode we aim to answer that question. The final vote tally gave totals of 8,509 for the pro-CCJ amendment and 9,234 against it. Turnout was 33.6% of the electorate - very low. Why did the yes vote fail? What ought to have been done differently? What has the 2018 referendum shown about the nature of politics and the potential for bi-partisanship in Antigua and Barbuda? How did public perception of political corruption affect the outcome? And what future does the court have in its appellate function if countries do not sign on?

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

1. Justin Simon QC, an attorney and Queen’s Counsel. He was Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014.
2. Sen. Shawn Nicholas, Senator appointed by the Leader of the Opposition and she a member of the United Progressive Party (UPP). She is the UPP General Secretary.
3. Stafford Byers, an attorney originally from Antigua and Barbuda, joining us from New York where he works and resides. He’s a member of the activist group, Antiguans and Barbudans for Constitutional Reform and Education (ABCRE).
4. Peter Wickham, Director of the polling and research firm, Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES). He has done numerous electoral polls in Antigua and Barbuda, and elsewhere in the region. He is a commentator on Caribbean political and social affairs.

This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on November 7th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.