Michael Browne: Leading Antigua And Barbuda's Change Agenda

Michael Sherwin Harris Browne is a politician from the Labour Party in Antigua and Barbuda. He was the MP for All Saints West and served as Minister of Education, Science and Technology in the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda until his resignation in 2020. Browne has a strong academic background, with a dual bachelor's degree and graduate studies in the Science of Teaching and Education Administration. He also has professional experience in journalism, public relations, and teaching. Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, has been accused of hypocrisy for welcoming Asot Michael back into the Labour Party despite ethical concerns and legal troubles.

Michael Browne's political career

Michael Sherwin Harris Browne is a politician from Antigua and Barbuda and a member of the Labour Party. He was the MP for All Saints West and served as Minister of Education, Science and Technology in the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda until his resignation in 2020.

Browne entered politics after a career in banking and business. He attended City Banking College in the United Kingdom, graduating with a BSc in banking and finance, and later obtained an MBA in Finance from the University of Manchester. He then secured a position with the Swiss American Banking Group, eventually becoming a Commercial Banking Manager.

In 1999, Browne was elected to parliament for the constituency of St. John's City West. During his first term, he served as Minister of Planning, Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Public Service Affairs. In November 2012, he challenged and defeated Lester Bird in the leadership race for the Labour Party, and the following month, he was appointed leader of the opposition.

Browne led the Labour Party to victory in the June 2014 general election, winning 14 out of 17 seats. He was sworn in as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda on 13 June 2014, a position he still holds as of 2024. As Prime Minister, he also holds the office of Minister of Finance.

Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party

The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) is a political party in Antigua and Barbuda. The party was founded in 1946, during the country's first national elections, as the Antigua Labour Party (ALP). It was founded by Vere Bird, father of former ABLP leader Lester Bird. The ABLP later came to be seen as a political arm of the Bird family.

With the exception of five years in the 1970s and a period from 2004 to 2014, the ABLP ruled Antigua and Barbuda for over four decades leading up to 2004. The party returned to power in the 2014 general election, winning 14 out of 17 seats, and retained power in 2018, winning 15 seats.

The current leader of the ABLP is Gaston Browne, who has served as the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda since 2014. Browne previously worked in banking and business before entering politics in 1999. He was elected to parliament for the constituency of St. John's City West and served as Minister of Planning, Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Public Service Affairs. In 2012, he defeated Lester Bird in a leadership race for the Labour Party and was appointed leader of the opposition.

The ABLP is generally considered an economically liberal and fiscally conservative party, defending a market-oriented economy and tax reductions. However, the party's policy of maintaining the public sector as the largest employer in Antigua and Barbuda has also led to it being considered a guarantor of "paternalistic conservatism" or "right-wing socialism."

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the party announced its support for the conversion of Antigua and Barbuda into a republic, although it stated that the country would remain a member of the Commonwealth regardless.

Education, training and exposure

Michael Sherwin Harris Browne is a politician from Antigua and Barbuda, representing the Labour Party. He was the Minister of Education, Science and Technology in the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda until his resignation in 2020. Browne has a strong educational background, having completed a dual bachelor's degree at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and subsequently pursuing graduate studies in the Science of Teaching and Education Administration and Supervision at Pace University. He also studied International Educational Development at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is currently working towards a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy, along with a Juris Doctorate of Laws at Howard University.

Browne's professional experiences include working as a senior sub-editor at AntiguaSUN and the Observer Newspapers, and as a public relations manager at Ribbit and Sandals Resort and Spa. He has also taught at the Princess Margaret Secondary School and held senior educational administrator positions in the United States. Browne's diverse academic and professional background has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to focus on education, training, and exposure for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

As the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Browne played a crucial role in implementing the government's promise of providing a comprehensive and modern education for the people. This included a focus on kindergarten to 12th grade (K-12) education and increasing tertiary education opportunities. Antigua and Barbuda offers free universal education, and the government has been committed to improving the learning environment and upgrading human resources. Significant investments have been made in teacher training, with a focus on special education, technical skills, sciences, and foreign languages.

Browne has also been instrumental in bringing the Five Islands Campus of the University of the West Indies to Antigua, which is the first opening of a UW campus in over 60 years. This campus will serve as a hub for training human resources in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) region. Additionally, under Browne's leadership, there has been a push to increase technical vocational education, providing the population with a wide range of technical skills.

Browne understands the importance of innovation in education and has supported the introduction of technology in classrooms, including the use of e-books. He recognises that students have access to a wealth of information through smartphones and other devices, and encourages engaging content that links different subjects together. Browne also highlights the importance of food security in the Caribbean, with students and teachers actively involved in all aspects of food production.

Michael Browne's personal life

Michael Sherwin Harris Browne was born and raised in Sea View Farm, Antigua and Barbuda. He has a strong commitment to helping the residents of All Saints West and the wider community of Antigua and Barbuda, focusing on education, training, exposure, and connecting people with opportunities. Browne values personal and professional productivity, performance, discipline, and accountability.

Academically, Browne completed a dual bachelor's degree at the University of the West Indies, Mona. After graduating, he temporarily put further studies on hold to return home and support his mother. He then pursued graduate studies in the Science of Teaching and Education Administration and Supervision at Pace University. Subsequently, he undertook studies in International Educational Development at Teachers College, Columbia University. Currently, Browne is working towards a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy, along with a Juris Doctorate of Laws at Howard University.

Browne's professional experience includes working as a senior subeditor at the AntiguaSUN and the Observer Newspapers. He also served as a public relations manager at Ribbit and later at Sandals Resort and Spa. Additionally, he taught at the Princess Margaret Secondary School and held positions as a senior educational administrator in the largest school district in the United States. During his time at Princess Margaret Secondary School, he founded an Etiquette and Modeling Club to help students develop leadership skills by merging aesthetic and academic excellence for their holistic development. Browne also co-mediated with the District of Columbia Courts and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Michael Browne's criminal charges

Michael Browne, the former Minister of Education, Science and Technology in Antigua and Barbuda, was charged with two serious criminal offences in November 2020. The specific charges against him cannot be disclosed for legal reasons.

Browne was fired from his ministerial post in late November 2020 after the charges were laid. He was replaced by the then Minister of Festivals, Daryll Matthew.

The trial began on November 26, 2021, and lasted for more than two weeks. The judge, Justice Colin Williams, spent about two hours scrutinising the evidence presented during the trial. In the end, he ruled that the Crown did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Browne was guilty.

Browne was acquitted of all charges and is now eligible to resume his duties within the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party administration. However, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has stated that Browne will not resume his previous role as the Minister of Education.

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