Issue 20 All pages final

MY ANTIGUA

FROM THE TOWNSHIP OF POINT TO THE TUSSLES OF POLITICS: MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE HEADLINES Attorney, ambassador and diplomat are just some of the hats he’s worn over the last five decades. Since 2014, Lionel Hurst – known to most simply as ‘Max’ – has been the Prime Minister’s chief of staff and the government’s official spokesman. Known for his flamboyant use of the English language, the affable septuagenarian from Point in Antigua’s north-west is both unashamedly partisan and an island institution.

Colibri Court is newly built and prIvately owned. With eight fully serviced apartments and its own swimming pool exclusive to Colibri guests, it’s located within the gated community of Jolly Harbour Marina, adjacent to the 18 hole par 71 Golf Course and has views across the Marina to our two pristine white sand beaches and the Caribbean Sea. ABOUT US

How did you get involved in politics? My father was the representative of what is now St John’s City West. I grew up in a household in which politics was an everyday experience. Your father played a leading role in steering the country towards independence. What are your memories of that time? We had been gearing up for independence since our status changed in 1967, when Antigua and Barbuda began to command its own domestic affairs but external affairs and defence remained under British control. In 1960, the United Nations had adopted a resolution which declared colonialism to be unlawful and demanded that all colonial powers disgorged themselves of their colonies. When we entered full independence in 1981, I knew that Antigua and Barbuda would require diplomats to represent it abroad, especially at the UN. I had a love for the UN; my first college degree completed in 1979 was in international politics. And you’re also a trained lawyer? I did a Master’s in business administration in 1981 and moved onto law school in 1982 in New York City. After that I worked for a law firm on Wall Street; I was one of 110 lawyers at the company. But I didn’t go to New York to become a lawyer, rather to acquire learning that would allow me to play a significant role in Antigua and Barbuda’s diplomacy. In 1985, when I had completed my studies, the Honourable Lester Bird who was then Minister of Foreign Affairs saw it fit to bring me into government. I worked in his ministry

Ah yes, tell us about the car. I bought it new in 1980 from the US for less than US$5,000 and I’ve kept it going for more than four decades. It’s a 1980 Volkswagen Jetta; that was the first Volkswagen that was not air-cooled. I call it the ‘Hurst First automobile’ and it’s still my only car; in fact, I drove it to work this morning. I have had it repainted twice and each time it cost me about EC$8,000. I stopped doing that because I made 10 children all together – I have been married three times – so I no longer spend my money on such things. Do you have a favourite song? It’s a calypso song by Short Shirt [legendary Antiguan singer] called ‘Raycan’. It’s about a character who wears dirty clothing and might even have been a drunkard but somehow manages to win the hearts of women. Short Shirt asks that he be treated as Raycan is treated, winning the hearts of women. All-time favourite movie? I grew up during the Elvis Presley era and ‘Jailhouse Rock’ remains one of my favourites. Why should people visit Antigua? When we were little there was a song; it may have been a calypso. We used to sing it around 1957 when Carnival first began and it would go – (sings) ‘the Antiguans treat people nicely, don’t mind their colour or class, you won’t find us unfriendly’. The Antiguan people over the years have always been welcoming of strangers. We don’t see the Earth as ours only; the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, so we share our piece of Earth with anyone who wants to have it. n

with responsibility for a little bit of everything; I wrote papers mostly and designed a foreign policy for the country. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Study hard - and not be distracted by the goodies on offer. In New York, there were plenty! (laughs) Proudest achievement? When I was named ambassador to the UN in 1988. I was 37 at the time. I felt self-fulfilled at that moment. I spent seven or eight years in that role. How do you spend your downtime? I learned to swim on Fort James Beach so I still embrace it as my favourite beach. I used to be a voracious reader but I now find Facebook and YouTube are easier to watch for hours than to sit and read a book. My eyesight has begun to fail a little. I recently had a cataract removed but I still struggle to read. I also have a 43-year-old Volkswagen which I know how to repair.

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