Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party

History

The party was founded in 1946, during the first national elections, as the Antigua Labour Party (ALP). Its founders included Vere Bird, father of Lester. The ABLP later came to be seen as a political arm of the Bird family. With the exception of five years in the 1970s, the ABLP ruled Antigua and Barbuda for over four decades leading up to 2004. It was in the opposition from 2004 to 2014, and then returned to power in the 2014 general election.

2004 defeat

Two major events precipitated the ABLP's first defeat in 28 years in the 2004 elections. First, an Electoral Commission was introduced after the 1999 election. According to international observers, the 1999 election was rife with irregularities. The report from an observer group from across the Commonwealth concluded that "voting rolls appeared to be inflated" and recommended "the establishment of an independent electoral commission to improve the voter registration process." Second, in 2002 there was a scandal over medical benefits, in which the government failed to contribute EC$120 million to cover recipients' medical expenses.

The opposition United Progressive Party campaigned on an anti-corruption platform they called "Government in the Sunshine." The ABLP lost its majority in the general election held on 24 March 2004. It received 41.8% of the popular vote, but won only four out of 17 seats. ABLP Prime Minister and political leader Bird was also defeated in his constituency.

Leadership crisis and transition

In early 2009, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party faced an internal leadership crisis. There was speculation that even if the ABLP won the 2009 election, Bird's leadership would be challenged. He announced that, if the ABLP failed to win the forthcoming 2009 general election, he would step down. Nevertheless, despite not winning, he remained the ABLP's leader until 2012, when he was defeated by Gaston Browne in a leadership challenge.

2014 elections and return to government

The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won 14 of the 17 seats in the Legislature in the 2014 general elections, forming a majority government with Browne as Prime Minister. They won 15 seats in the 2018 general elections and thereby retained power.

Ideology

Despite having been founded as a partisan expression of the labour movement in Antigua and Barbuda and having labour and social democratic origins, the party is generally considered as an economically liberal and fiscally conservative party, defender of a market-oriented economy and tax reductions, in particular rejecting the imposition of income tax. However, the party's policy of maintaining the public sector as the largest employer in Antigua and Barbuda during its successive governments (representing up to 40% of the workforce) has also led to the party being considered a guarantor of a "paternalistic conservatism" or "right-wing socialism." After the death of Elizabeth II of Antigua and Barbuda, the party went on to officially support the conversion of Antigua and Barbuda into a republic. The party is also against an Antiguan and Barbudan federation.

Electoral results

House of Representatives

Barbuda Council

References

References

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2. "Labour party makes new promises". Antigua Observer Newspaper. 2 March 2018.
3. "Power Hungry: PM dismisses suggestion by Trevor Walker". Antigua News Room. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
4. "Antigua and Barbuda may become republic within 3 years after British queen's demise". news.am. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
5. Gascoigne, Joseph Michael. (September 2020). "Partyism and Polarisation: A History of Antiguan Political Culture, 1967–1976". University of York.
6. Gascoigne, Joseph Michael. (September 2020). "Partyism and Polarisation: A History of Antiguan Political Culture, 1967–1976". University of York.
7. "АНТИГУА И БАРБУДА {{!}} Энциклопедия Кругосвет".
8. [https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/1999/370.htm "US State Department Human Rights Report"], 23 February 2000
9. [http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/caribbean/fraud.htm "Fraud"]. ''Miami Herald'', 4 April 2002
10. [http://dagarat.blogspot.com/2009/01/whos-leader.html "Who's the Leader"] Da Garat, 11 January 2009{{unreliable source?. (June 2014)
11. [http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=281935077507132005&an=184634087212302008&ac=Local "Bird to call it quits if ABLP fails at polls"], ''Antigua Sun'', 30 December 2008
12. (19 December 2011). "Bird said he is ready for court challenge to electoral law". Antigua Observer.
13. Gascoigne, Joseph Michael. (September 2020). "Partyism and Polarisation: A History of Antiguan Political Culture, 1967–1976". University of York.
14. Payne, Douglas W.. (June 1, 1999). "THE FAILINGS OF GOVERNANCE IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA".
15. (2 March 2018). "Labour party makes new promises".
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17. "АНТИГУА И БАРБУДА {{!}} Энциклопедия Кругосвет".
18. (2024-03-23). "Antigua and Barbuda may become republic within 3 years after British queen's demise".
19. (2018-08-26). "Power Hungry: PM dismisses suggestion by Trevor Walker".
20. "THE BARBUDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT CHAPTER 44".
21. Pat. (2012-08-19). "ALP candidates announced for March 2013 Council election".
22. (1 February 2016). "Political Handbook of the World 1998". Springer.
23. pj67admin. (2005-03-23). "Barbuda Council Election Day".
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26. pj67admin. (2013-01-08). "Result of the BPM Primaries".
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28. pj67admin. (2011-04-04). "Barbuda Council Election Results".
29. pj67admin. (2013-02-18). "The Results".
30. (2015-03-25). "BPM are back – two more seats in Council".
31. barbudaful. (2017-03-30). "BPM bring back Council".
32. (2017-03-29). "It's done … time to move on".
33. (30 March 2021). "Clean Sweep for BPM".
34. barbudaful. (2021-03-18). "Council elections March 29th 2021".
35. "Barbuda Council Elections 2021 Results".