A dazzlingly bright screen, audio that echoed across the waterfront, free popcorn, raffle prizes and even walk-on music – Kenneth Bryan’s district meeting was a political spectacle.
Dubbed his ‘half-term report card’, the representative for George Town Central promised announcements and surprises throughout what was scheduled to be a two-hour event, but ran about an hour over.
And while the expected revelations were few, there was, on the other hand, much celebration of Bryan and the PACT government’s achievements over its first two years.
“Some people claimed that I had no experience,” he told the attendees in George Town on Thursday, 20 April. “They said I would not be able to get the job done.
“They called me a loose cannon. They said I couldn’t work with anybody. They had no faith, no hope, just criticisms. But I didn’t let it stop me.”
A surprise guest
The Minister of Tourism and Ports invited Premier Wayne Panton, along with several fellow ministers and government officials, to speak during his event on the George Town waterfront.
First up to the microphone was former deputy premier Chris Saunders, who stepped down as a government minister last month due to differences with the premier, who cited “issues of conduct with Mr. Saunders”.
“I know naturally you’re probably wondering, why is Chris here?” he said. “Well, I can tell you. The only person who could actually get me to come here is Kenneth Vernon Bryan.”
He told attendees “politics is not for the faint of heart” before praising Bryan for his successes in his role as minister and then welcoming him onto the stage.
Walking up to the podium while singing to Martin Garrix’s song ‘Dreamer’, which the minister said would be his next campaign song, he immediately explained Saunders’ presence at the event to those gathered in the carpark, north of Royal Watler Cruise Terminal.
“But I want to thank him so much for coming on and showing that regardless of circumstances, we believe in the principles of mutual respect.
“We recognise that no matter where in Parliament that we sit, we both have our jobs to do.”
A long list
In the remainder of his 50-minute speech, Bryan spoke mainly of how far he believes his ministry and the government have come in two years.
“When we took office two years ago, too many families couldn’t make ends meet. Too many seniors were worried about falling into poverty. Children were going to school hungry.”
He said the current administration was elected to bring about change, to reduce the cost of living, to create jobs, provide opportunities and increase quality of life.
“We’re only halfway through this administration, and yet the list of things that we’ve already put in place is a long one,” he said, “although it may not seem so.”
“That’s because when we took office, there was so much to do, but unfortunately, very little money to do it with.”
Some of the achievements he spoke of included free lunches for primary and secondary children in government schools and added that fees have been lowered for senior’s driver’s licences and vehicle registrations, as well as removing their passport-renewal fees.
The minister also said the government had helped residents to cover the rising costs of electricity.
Too much vs. nothing
Speaking extensively on his own ministry, Bryan hit out at critics, who he said, accused him of travelling too much and bringing in too many tourists, making the islands too busy.
“I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be where we are now than where we were just two short years ago,” he said. “I’d rather face the problems of having too much than nothing at all.”
He described the ministry’s efforts since COVID-19, which included speaking at conferences, attending trade shows with airlines and cruise lines, and working with other partners.
“Plus those hundreds of Zoom meetings, interviews with international press, just to name a few things,” he said, asserting the ministry earned $7 million more than projected last year.
Personal successes included being selected as Caribbean Minister of the Year in the Caribbean Travel Awards 2023 and becoming chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Bryan invited his constituents to grade his performance if they believed he had delivered what he had promised in his role as their representative and as minister.
Guests spoke for the next several hours in support of Bryan and his work in tourism.
Announcements were made on the residential mental health facility, a new submarine communications cable and an anti-littering sign project.
The George Town Central representative also presented new design visuals for the Scranton Central Park development.
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