By Staff Reporters
After losing power a decade ago, the (ALP) now Antigua & Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) was victorious in the June 12, 2014 elections and captured 14 of the 17 available seats, with one district facing a possible recount. Outgoing Prime Minister who ruled the twin island state for the past 10 years admitted that it was not what he expected but graciously accepted the results as “the will of the people” and indicated to the new Prime Minister that he “looks forward to the ABLP governing this country in the interest of the people.”
Gaston Browne, 47, became the fourth and youngest ever prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda after he was sworn into office by Governor General Dame Louise Lake-Tack less than 24 hours after his Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ALP) won a landslide victory in the general election.
The UPP managed to prevent a total sweep at the polls by retaining 3 seats being those of former PM Baldwin Spencer, his one-time deputy, Wilmoth Daniel and Joanne Messiah .
Surprised casualties are Finance Minister Harold Lovell and Tourism Minister John Maginley and Education Minister Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro.
Supporters of the ALP took to the streets during the early hours of Friday morning, honking car horns and celebrating the victory after what Browne had earlier described as 10 years of economic stagnation, high unemployment and crime in the country.
Amidst several supporters and relatives, including his wife Maria Bird, Browne, a businessman and former banker, took the three oaths of office swearing to uphold the laws of the country. After being sworn into office the new PM indicated that there would be some changes to existing ministerial portfolios. This according to him included a minister of foreign affairs, investment and tourism “so as to provide a one stop shop” for attracting investments and employment opportunities to the country.
He also said that more emphasis would also be placed on the socio-economic development of the youth, whom he described as “the present, the future and we have a very impressive programme for youth empowerment and it will start with a number of youths to serve in the governance of the country, in the Senate and various boards”.
Supporters of the ALP
According to reports out of Antigua, Mr. Browne’s campaign stressed the need to turn around the nation’s stagnant economy, high unemployment and crime and said his new administration would provide opportunities for putting nationals back to work, noting that youth unemployment was running as high as 40 per cent. Some 500 houses were promised to be built in 500 days in addition to the removal of certain taxes.
“The country is in dire straits and we must remain hopeful for a bright future. We have the capacity to achieve that vision to make Antigua and Barbuda the envy of the Caribbean. We have the capacity to create full employment. We have the capacity to attract investment to grow this country,” he added.
During the campaign, Spencer told reporters, he was confident that the electorate would return his United Progressive Party (UPP) back into office, saying “we believe we have kept faith with the people of Antigua and Barbuda and we have done the greatest good for the greatest number since we took office in 2004”.
But Gaston Browne, who is leading the main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) into the general election, told CMC that the UPP government had over the past few years “actually dismantled the economy” and that the island had lost approximately 25 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP).
“Today you have unemployment in excess of 25 per cent and the poverty level in excess of 35 per cent. So in essence they have destroyed the country and I think Antiguans and Barbudans are desirous of change and I believe they have every confidence that the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party will make a difference in their lives”.
One thing is for sure is that the people of Antigua will hold Mr. Browne to his words when he said that:
“I say to every Antiguan and Barbadian that we will honour our commitment to you. We will not betray your trust. We pledge to work in your interest. We are the people’s hope and aspirations. We will hit the road running,” he added.
The 47-year-old Browne welcomed the offer of the defeated P M Baldwin Spencer to work with his administration for the good of Antigua and Barbuda.
Browne said in a radio and television broadcast that he was very humble by the mandate given to his party adding it is evident that the people have spoken and they have spoken resoundingly but he reminded the nation that work has just begun adding the reality is that the country is in dire straits and would require the efforts of the entire nation.
He described the victory as one for the people, saying he was determined to implement policies and measures that would make Antigua and Barbuda an ‘economic power house’ in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, Premier Meade who has confirmed an election date faces the Montserrat electorate of a mere approximately 3,000 people, in exactly three months of the Antigua general June 12 election,
According to reports the election ran relatively incident free apart from some specific issues raised by visiting observer groups including the Commonwealth Observer and the organization of American States OAS.
The Montserrat Reporter congratulates Mr. Browne and his team and wishes them every success in the future.
