politician chairman entering politics minister portfolio government joseph minister finance seven years later national debt introducing fiscal reforms scandal discovered position import 1930s rolls friend bypassing normal import duties taxes dismissed bird administration returning months later serve minister planning implementation environment following general election minister heath social improvement minister tourism environment months later minister joseph attempted improve perception antigua tourist destination invest industry spending million dollars increasing number hotel rooms island providing money provide flights island outside ministerial duties met vice chairman having led official delegation beijing following power struggle joseph given portfolio hold time tourism environment position despite scandal surrounding donations received businessman joseph selected contest seat north general election lost power replaced government led joseph lost seat elected chairman year later regained seat majority year arrested participating day rally protesting administration lengthy trial members convicted fined early career joseph entered cabinet level politics april following general election victory minister portfolio minister finance trade financial secretary minister economic development negotiated antigua national debt european creditors government budget announced drafted joseph included new taxes involve cut government spending response claimed reduced spending tourists smaller amounts international aid budget contained similar provisions ruling possibility income tax suggested antigua major trade unions accompanied programme fiscal reforms including expenditure control improved revenue collection external debt management proper evaluation projects improved public sector efficiency price controls basic foods tax reform good governance parliament joseph campaigned business licensing bill statute aimed impose licensing fees ranging dollars seeking start businesses certain fields bill attracted large amounts controversy critics asserting violated single market economy agreement general agreement trade lead traders finding difficult expand external markets ministers williams spoke support bill later shelved indefinitely joseph saying found lonely man dismissal joseph left position finance minister discovered helped friend import 1930s rolls position bypass normal import duties taxes government immediate reaction deny happened solicitor general issued report found landing rolls car violation customs port procedures facilitated joseph intervention growing pressure joseph resigned september joseph senior charge refugees government chief spokesperson eruption volcano led refugees fleeing country coming antigua joseph position long december years resignation recalled portfolio bird saying managerial skills required economic history projects require implementation ground quickly following general election appointed cabinet time minister heath social improvement planning portfolio going months later minister tourism environment taking health portfolio minister joseph oversaw basics approach tourism attempting nation perceived known natural beauty environment government invested million dollars number hotel rooms available opened seeking train efficiently effectively work tourism industry joseph oversaw government buying beach resort attempt save bankruptcy establishing management company oversee property february led government delegation official visit beijing met vice chairman discuss relations issues common concern led delegation following joseph promise government route resumed flights antigua having ceased flying years earlier followed announcement similarly begin offering flights islands financial scandal early asked vote confidence bird government calling step accusing involved corrupt practices governing threatened thrown party claimed mps government ministers prepared resign dismissed including joseph dispute remained unresolved accusing government power senator eventually resigned administration suggestions joseph trade minister leave joseph eventually announced june resign michael immediately removed hours michael resignation formally soon joseph given portfolio hold time tourism environment position later career late discovered businessman given joseph fellow minister worth dollars denied suggestions constituted claiming money gone community projects leader opposition demanded ministers resign ministers team negotiating stanford land exchange news led protesters offices prime minister affirmed support ministers despite motion brought opposition protests stanford publicly second set donations joseph antigua general election following dissolution parliament late february running slate joseph nominated mary north seat defeated forced government joseph lost seat opposition held leadership contest joseph elected party chairman defeating votes appointed bird act shadow minister tourism education general election ran north defeating votes despite retained power following march day protest government joseph senior figures including prime minister arrested charged public order offences pleaded guilty convicted fined
Molwyn Joseph