Senate Minority Leader David Massiah has declined to support the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Bill 2026, arguing that the legislation is being rushed through without sufficient consultation or scrutiny. According to Antigua News Room, Massiah made his position clear during Tuesday's Senate debate, stating that while elements of the bill appear sound, he could not back its passage in its current form.
"I cannot and will not give support to the passage of this bill," Massiah told the Upper House.
Massiah criticised the timing of the legislation, saying senators were not given adequate opportunity to review and research its provisions before debate. He noted that the bill was only recently circulated, limiting members' ability to fully assess its implications.
"It is important for us to have the necessary timeline… to do whatever research that we'd want," he said, emphasising the Senate's role as a reviewing body.
A central plank of Massiah's objection was the absence of broader stakeholder consultation, particularly from those directly involved in festival planning and execution. He argued that the bill, which seeks to formalise the management of Carnival and other national events, should undergo a more inclusive process before being enacted.
"There is an importance for us to sit down [and] understand what is happening… and the challenges that are there," Massiah said. He warned that proceeding without such engagement could result in legislative gaps requiring amendments shortly after passage.
Massiah also pointed to public concerns about the current operation of festival management, though he acknowledged he lacked documentary evidence to present in the chamber. He maintained that these issues nonetheless warranted closer examination before any structural changes are formalised.
"I am speaking from what I am hearing," he said, adding that public feedback should not be ignored in shaping national policy.
Despite his objections, Massiah made clear that he supports the concept of establishing a formal authority to oversee festivals, describing such a body as necessary for the country.
"I cannot stand here and say that we don't need a commission," he said, noting the importance of strengthening cultural institutions.
However, he maintained that the legislative process must be more deliberate and inclusive to ensure the final bill reflects the needs of all stakeholders. Massiah urged the government to take additional time to refine the legislation, suggesting that existing festival structures could continue operating in the interim.
"There's already a committee… doing certain things," he said, arguing there was no immediate urgency that justified fast-tracking the bill.
Massiah reiterated that while the bill contains "good things," it requires further consultation and consideration before it can earn his support. His stance placed him at odds with government senators, who argued the legislation is necessary to modernise festival management and expand the economic impact of Antigua and Barbuda's cultural events.
