Antigua Labour Party
Encyclopedia
The Antigua Labour Party (ALP) is the former ruling political party in Antigua and Barbuda
. It has long been led by Lester Bird
, who was chairman of the party since 1971, and became Prime Minister and political leader in 1994. The party was founded by Lester's father, V.C. Bird. The ALP has traditionally largely been seen as the political arm of the Bird Family.
for over four decades. Two major events precipitated the ALP's first defeat in 28 years in 2004. The first was the introduction of the Electoral Commission after the 1999 election. According to international observers, the 1999 was rife with irregularities. Most notably, the report from the Commonwealth observer group concluded that "the voting rolls appeared to be inflated" and recommended "the establishment of an independent electoral commission to improve the voter registration process." The second was the Medical Benefits Scandal. Under the watch of the ALP Government, the government of Antigua & Barbuda 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." After 28 years in power, the ALP was widely perceived to be corrupt and that corruption along with the establishment of free and fair elections in Antigua & Barbuda led to their defeat.
The ALP lost its majority in the 2004 general election
held on 24 March 2004. It received 41.8% of the popular vote, and 4 out of 17 seats. ALP Prime Minister and political leader Lester Bird was also defeated in his constituency.
Bird's announcement has unleashed a torrent of speculation about who will succeed him. It will be the first time in party history that a member of the Bird family has not held the political leadership of the ALP. ALP money man Asot Michael
, party chairman Gaston Browne and Parliament Leader Cutie Benjamin are all vying for the party's leadership.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
. It has long been led by Lester Bird
Lester Bird
Lester Bryant Bird was the second Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda from 1994 to 2004 and a well-known athlete. He was chairman of the Antigua Labour Party from 1971 to 1993, then became Prime Minister when his father, Vere Bird, the previous Prime Minister, resigned.Bird was born on February...
, who was chairman of the party since 1971, and became Prime Minister and political leader in 1994. The party was founded by Lester's father, V.C. Bird. The ALP has traditionally largely been seen as the political arm of the Bird Family.
2004 Defeat
With the exception of five years in the 1970s, the ALP ruled Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
for over four decades. Two major events precipitated the ALP's first defeat in 28 years in 2004. The first was the introduction of the Electoral Commission after the 1999 election. According to international observers, the 1999 was rife with irregularities. Most notably, the report from the Commonwealth observer group concluded that "the voting rolls appeared to be inflated" and recommended "the establishment of an independent electoral commission to improve the voter registration process." The second was the Medical Benefits Scandal. Under the watch of the ALP Government, the government of Antigua & Barbuda failed to contribute EC$120 million to cover recipients' medical expenses.
The opposition United Progressive Party
United Progressive Party
There have been several political parties named the United Progressive Party.*For the main governing party in Antigua and Barbuda, see United Progressive Party ....
campaigned on an anti-corruption platform they called "Government in the Sunshine." After 28 years in power, the ALP was widely perceived to be corrupt and that corruption along with the establishment of free and fair elections in Antigua & Barbuda led to their defeat.
The ALP lost its majority in the 2004 general election
Antigua and Barbuda legislative election, 2004
The Antigua and Barbuda general election of 2004 was held on 23 March 2004. The election was won by the opposition United Progressive Party, which defeated the incumbent Antigua Labour Party. Baldwin Spencer, leader of the UPP, replaced Lester Bird as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda...
held on 24 March 2004. It received 41.8% of the popular vote, and 4 out of 17 seats. ALP Prime Minister and political leader Lester Bird was also defeated in his constituency.
Leadership Crisis
In early 2009, the Antigua Labour Party faced an internal leadership crisis. The aging Lester Bird announced that if the ALP fails to win the forthcoming 2009 general election, he will step down. There's been speculation that even if the ALP wins the 2009 election, Bird's leadership will be challenged.Bird's announcement has unleashed a torrent of speculation about who will succeed him. It will be the first time in party history that a member of the Bird family has not held the political leadership of the ALP. ALP money man Asot Michael
Asot Michael
Asot Michael is the Member of the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda for St Peter. He is a member of the Antigua Labour Party. He was Minister for Public Works in the government of Lester Bird, until his resignation in 2003.-References:...
, party chairman Gaston Browne and Parliament Leader Cutie Benjamin are all vying for the party's leadership.