Robertson S. Henry. Sports and Cultural Contributor
Caribbean new. Gaston Bowne is new Antigua Prime Minister following landslide win for ABLP
FRIDAY JUNE 13, 2014; ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA – Businessman and former banker, Gaston Browne who enjoys the backing of the business community in Antigua has declared plans to abolish personal income tax, revive both local and foreign investment, re-tool and reinvigorate the tourism industry and reset the country’s once buoyant financial services sector, is the new Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
In a hotly contested elections, the over 47,000 registered voters chose a new Government in the Antigua Labour Party, and a new Prime Minister in Browne, defeating the United Progressive Party which had governed the twin-island state for two terms – 2004 to 2014 under the leadership of Baldwin Spencer.
According to preliminary reports some fourteen hours after the 164 polling stations closed, the ABLP won fourteen seats to the UPP three. Reports further revealed that Baldwin Spencer telephoned Gaston Browne at about 11:00 p.m., conceding defeat.
First Press Conference of Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister-elect Gaston Browne (Cynthia Bougouneau)
Thursday’s poll culminated a bitterly fought general election campaign which was punctuated by allegations of vote buying and other irregularities by the UPP, the ABLP still emerged victorious, demonstrating the depth of feeling against the Spencer administration that had presided over a devastating period in Antigua and Barbuda’s economic and political history.
The once buoyant economy declined for five years, pushing the country into the hands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a stand-by arrangement. As the fiscal deficit widened, the government ran out of money and could neither pay the salaries and wages of public servants nor service the public debt now estimated at US$2 billion.
New PM Gaston Browne. Photo courtesy gastonbrowne.com
While, like many other Caribbean countries, Antigua and Barbuda experienced a fall-out from the 2008 global financial crisis, poor economic policies by the Spencer administration led to a contraction of the private sector and mounting unemployment that rose from 5% when the UPP took office in 2004 to over 25%. Poverty and crime also increased dramatically over the last ten years.
The new Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne faces a huge task in restoring the economy and enhancing governmental institutions, particularly statutory corporations that had been weakened by alleged UPP cronyism.
He also has to quickly find his feet in Caribbean affairs, as he assumes the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) from Vincentian Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves when regional Heads of Government meet in Antigua in early July.
Addressing the nation on both radio and television from his party headquarters last night, the 63-year-old Spencer stated, “I wish to also say to the people of Antigua and Barbuda that the democratic process in our nation is alive and that the people of Antigua and Barbuda, the electorate of this country would have made a statement they would have spoken in clear terms, they would have made a choice.”
Spencer was seeking a third consecutive term in office. He is among the only three UPP candidates to have won their seats in the General Elections. Spencer in St. John’s Rural West, while Wilmoth Daniel took the St. Phillips South seat and Joanne Massiah was victorious in All Saints East and St. Luke.
The seats won by Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party are as follow: Michael Browne – All Saints West; Arthur Nibbs – Barbuda; Dean Jonas – St. George; Melford Nicholas – St. John’s City East; Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin – St. John’s City South; Gaston Browne – St. John’s City West; Lester Bird – St. John’s Rural East; Charles Max Fernandez – St. John’s Rural North; Eustace Lake – St. John’s Rural South; Molwyn Joseph – St. Mary’s North; Samantha Marshall – St. Mary’s South; Paul ‘Chet’ Greene – St. Paul; Asot Michael – St. Peter; and Robin Yearwood – St. Phillip North.
Spencer thanked Antiguans for affording him the opportunity to lead the two-island Federation for the last 10 years 2004 – 2014.
“We believe that under the circumstances and the conditions under which we had to function that we’ve done the best that we could have done and that history will certainly prove that the United Progressive Party under the circumstances would have performed reasonably well.
Gaston Browne Prime Minister elect of Antigua and Barbuda embraces his dear wife (Cynthia Bougouneau)
“I also wish to take this opportunity to thank my colleague candidates and also individuals and supporters …of the United Progressive Party who would have rallied, who would have supported our campaign and who would have voted for candidates throughout the country representing the United Progressive Party.
According to the outgoing Prime Minister, “the people of this country would have spoken and they would have made their decision.
“That decision has to be accepted and I have accepted the verdict of the people of Antigua and Barbuda at this time. I wish the new government well and I say so with all sincerity because as far as I am concerned what is important now is for us to come together as a nation, let the healing begin almost instantly and bring this country together in the interest of the future of Antigua and Barbuda.”
Meanwhile Prime Minister-elect Gaston Browne has declared today a public holiday in that Federation, and held his first press conference this morning. (Robertson S. Henry/[email protected])
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