Robin Yearwood
Encyclopedia
Robin Yearwood is an Antiguan politician and member of the Antigua Labour Party
(ALP). Entering Parliament in 1976, Yearwood served as Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in the ALP administration until a cabinet reshuffle in 1987 saw him take over Vere Bird, Jr.
's portfolio for Aviation, Public Inforamtion and Public Utilities. Despite a failed attempt to oust the Prime Minister he retained this position, and kept it when he became Deputy Prime Minister on 9 September 2002 and Minister of Finance a year later. Following the ALP's loss in the 2004 election, Yearwood was one of only three ALP members left in the lower house, and became Leader of the Opposition. He held this position until 2006, when he was replaced with Steadroy Benjamin.
. He retained this position after the 1984 election, and in 1986 led the construction of a new agricultural research laboratory, using equipment donated by China
under a 1983 economic and technical cooperation pact. A cabinet reshuffle on 1 January 1987 saw Yearwood replace Vere Bird, Jr.
, the Prime Minister's son, as Minister of Aviation, Public Information and Public Utilities, ceding his Agriculture portfolio to Hilroy Humphreys. This followed controversy over Bird's construction of a new airport, which the opposition charged was "grossly inflated" in cost; retired Grenadian judge Sir Archibald Nedd was appointed to investigate the project and look for signs of wrongdoing. This scandal threatened to topple the government, with eight ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister, arguing that Vere Bird should have his son fired.
Retaining his seat in the 1989 election, seeing off a challenge from Junie de Shalto, he remained Minister of Aviation. Following the 1991 budget proposal, described by members of the opposition as "illegal and unconstitutional", Yearwood was one of seven ALP Ministers to call for the Prime Minister's resignation; despite the failure of this campaign, he retained his position in the Cabinet. As Aviation Minister, Yearwood spearheaded a $2.8 million grant to LIATairline in an attempt to boost its recovery: a $1.4 million bank overdraft and a $1.4 million government loan.
in a reorganisation of the government aimed at tackling a series of corruption scandals; he retained his Aviation, Public Information and Public Utilities portfolio. He announced that his focus would be on rebuilding Antigua's economy, switching from a reliance on the failing banana industry to a focus on tourism. Following the resignation of five government members in protest at Bird's leadership, Bird he announced he was reshuffling the Cabinet, and handed Yearwood the position of Minister of Finance. As Minister of Finance, Yearwood attended the 2003 International Monetary Fund
conference as the Antiguan delegate, and also met the Inter-American Economic Council's delegation when it visited Antigua in January 2004.
The ALP lost their majority in the 2004 general election, and the United Progressive Party
(UPP) under Baldwin Spencer
took 14 of the 17 seats in Parliament. Yearwood, as one of the few remaining ALP Parliamentarians, became Leader of the Opposition. Appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Yearwood strongly criticised the UPP budget, which was later approved. In 2005 he, Lester Bird and Hugh Marshall, Sr. were charged with an illegal land sale while in government, with the UPP administration alleging that government property had been sold to a company owned by the three at below-market value. In 2006, following a letter from three ALP Parliamentarians accusing him of "fuelling division within the party", Yearwood was removed as Leader of the Opposition and replaced by Steadroy Benjamin. Despite this fall from grace he remains in Parliament, seeing off a challenge from Elmore Charles to retain his seat in the 2009 election.
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...
(ALP). Entering Parliament in 1976, Yearwood served as Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in the ALP administration until a cabinet reshuffle in 1987 saw him take over Vere Bird, Jr.
Vere Bird, Jr.
Vere Bird, Jr. is an Antiguan lawyer and politician who served as chairman of the Antigua Labour Party and a government minister. He is the son of Vere Bird, the former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and brother of Lester Bird, who later held the same position.Bird entered politics in 1981...
's portfolio for Aviation, Public Inforamtion and Public Utilities. Despite a failed attempt to oust the Prime Minister he retained this position, and kept it when he became Deputy Prime Minister on 9 September 2002 and Minister of Finance a year later. Following the ALP's loss in the 2004 election, Yearwood was one of only three ALP members left in the lower house, and became Leader of the Opposition. He held this position until 2006, when he was replaced with Steadroy Benjamin.
Early career
Yearwood was first elected to Parliament in 1976, for the seat of St. Phillips North, which he still holds. He entered Cabinet-level politics on 29 May 1980, when he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in the ALP government of Vere BirdVere Bird
Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr. was the first Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. His son, Lester Bryant Bird, succeeded him as Prime Minister. In 1994 he was declared a national hero....
. He retained this position after the 1984 election, and in 1986 led the construction of a new agricultural research laboratory, using equipment donated by China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
under a 1983 economic and technical cooperation pact. A cabinet reshuffle on 1 January 1987 saw Yearwood replace Vere Bird, Jr.
Vere Bird, Jr.
Vere Bird, Jr. is an Antiguan lawyer and politician who served as chairman of the Antigua Labour Party and a government minister. He is the son of Vere Bird, the former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and brother of Lester Bird, who later held the same position.Bird entered politics in 1981...
, the Prime Minister's son, as Minister of Aviation, Public Information and Public Utilities, ceding his Agriculture portfolio to Hilroy Humphreys. This followed controversy over Bird's construction of a new airport, which the opposition charged was "grossly inflated" in cost; retired Grenadian judge Sir Archibald Nedd was appointed to investigate the project and look for signs of wrongdoing. This scandal threatened to topple the government, with eight ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister, arguing that Vere Bird should have his son fired.
Retaining his seat in the 1989 election, seeing off a challenge from Junie de Shalto, he remained Minister of Aviation. Following the 1991 budget proposal, described by members of the opposition as "illegal and unconstitutional", Yearwood was one of seven ALP Ministers to call for the Prime Minister's resignation; despite the failure of this campaign, he retained his position in the Cabinet. As Aviation Minister, Yearwood spearheaded a $2.8 million grant to LIATairline in an attempt to boost its recovery: a $1.4 million bank overdraft and a $1.4 million government loan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition
On 9 September 2002, Yearwood was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Antigua by Lester BirdLester 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...
in a reorganisation of the government aimed at tackling a series of corruption scandals; he retained his Aviation, Public Information and Public Utilities portfolio. He announced that his focus would be on rebuilding Antigua's economy, switching from a reliance on the failing banana industry to a focus on tourism. Following the resignation of five government members in protest at Bird's leadership, Bird he announced he was reshuffling the Cabinet, and handed Yearwood the position of Minister of Finance. As Minister of Finance, Yearwood attended the 2003 International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
conference as the Antiguan delegate, and also met the Inter-American Economic Council's delegation when it visited Antigua in January 2004.
The ALP lost their majority in the 2004 general election, and 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:...
(UPP) under Baldwin Spencer
Baldwin Spencer
Winston Baldwin Spencer is the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. He has been Prime Minister since March 24, 2004, when his party, the United Progressive Party , which he had led as the opposition party for several years, won a parliamentary election...
took 14 of the 17 seats in Parliament. Yearwood, as one of the few remaining ALP Parliamentarians, became Leader of the Opposition. Appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Yearwood strongly criticised the UPP budget, which was later approved. In 2005 he, Lester Bird and Hugh Marshall, Sr. were charged with an illegal land sale while in government, with the UPP administration alleging that government property had been sold to a company owned by the three at below-market value. In 2006, following a letter from three ALP Parliamentarians accusing him of "fuelling division within the party", Yearwood was removed as Leader of the Opposition and replaced by Steadroy Benjamin. Despite this fall from grace he remains in Parliament, seeing off a challenge from Elmore Charles to retain his seat in the 2009 election.