Progressive Labour Movement
Encyclopedia
The Progressive Labour Movement was a major political party
in Antigua and Barbuda
, and until the 2000s, was the only political party to have defeated the Antigua Labour Party
in an election.
and Donald Halstead, the party was emerged from the Antigua Workers Union, which was established in 1967 as a breakaway from the Antigua Labour Party
-affiliated Antigua Trades and Labour Union
. Its . In the 1971 election
it won 57.7% of the vote and 13 of the 17 seats in the House of Representatives, the first time the Antigua Labour Party
had lost an election. Walter became Prime Minister.
A series of corruption scandals involving PLM ministers, together with a severe economic downturn caused by the Oil Shock led to a drop in support for the PLM. Nevertheless, it still managed to win a plurality of votes in the 1976 elections
. However, despite receiving the most votes, it won only five seats, whilst the ALP won 11.
In the 1980 elections
the party lost more support, and won only three seats. A further slump saw them lose their parliamentary representation following the 1984 elections
, in which they received only 356 votes.
It did not contest the 1989 elections
, and in 1992 it was one of three parties that merged to form the United Progressive Party
.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Antigua and Barbuda
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...
, and until the 2000s, was the only political party to have defeated the Antigua Labour Party
Antigua Labour Party
The Antigua Labour Party 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...
in an election.
History
Under the leadership of George WalterGeorge Walter
Sir George Herbert Walter KNH was an Antiguan politician of the Progressive Labour Movement and Premier of Antigua and Barbuda from 14 February 1971 to 1 February 1976.-Political career:...
and Donald Halstead, the party was emerged from the Antigua Workers Union, which was established in 1967 as a breakaway from the Antigua Labour Party
Antigua Labour Party
The Antigua Labour Party 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...
-affiliated Antigua Trades and Labour Union
Antigua Trades and Labour Union
The Antigua Trades and Labour Union is a national Trade union of Antigua and Barbuda. It was formed in 1939 and is closely related to the Antigua Labour Party.It has a membership of 7,000 and is led by Wigley George as president....
. Its . In the 1971 election
Antigua and Barbuda general election, 1971
General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 11 February 1971. They were won by the Progressive Labour Movement. PLM leader George Walter was elected Premier of Antigua, defeating the incumbent Premier Vere Bird of the Antigua Labour Party...
it won 57.7% of the vote and 13 of the 17 seats in the House of Representatives, the first time the Antigua Labour Party
Antigua Labour Party
The Antigua Labour Party 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...
had lost an election. Walter became Prime Minister.
A series of corruption scandals involving PLM ministers, together with a severe economic downturn caused by the Oil Shock led to a drop in support for the PLM. Nevertheless, it still managed to win a plurality of votes in the 1976 elections
Antigua and Barbuda general election, 1976
General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 18 February 1976. Whilst the Progressive Labour Movement received the most votes, the opposition Antigua Labour Party won more than double the number of seats. ALP leader Vere Bird was elected Premier of Antigua. Bird had previously served as...
. However, despite receiving the most votes, it won only five seats, whilst the ALP won 11.
In the 1980 elections
Antigua and Barbuda general election, 1980
General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 24 April 1980. They were won by the governing Antigua Labour Party. ALP leader Vere Bird was re-elected as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. Voter turnout was 77.1%....
the party lost more support, and won only three seats. A further slump saw them lose their parliamentary representation following the 1984 elections
Antigua and Barbuda general election, 1984
General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 17 April 1984, the first after the country had become as an independent Commonwealth realm in 1981....
, in which they received only 356 votes.
It did not contest the 1989 elections
Antigua and Barbuda general election, 1989
General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 9 March 1989, the second after it had become an independent Commonwealth realm. The election was won by the governing Antigua Labour Party. ALP leader Vere Bird was re-elected as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. Voter turnout was...
, and in 1992 it was one of three parties that merged to form the United Progressive Party
United Progressive Party (Antigua and Barbuda)
The United Progressive Party is a political party in Antigua and Barbuda. It is led by Baldwin Spencer, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and has the majority of seats in the Antiguan House of Representatives.-Foundation:...
.