Politics
1478 articles
PM Browne Pledges Equal Treatment for All, Including on Sexuality, as New Term Begins
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pledged non-discrimination across all sectors of society, including on the basis of sexual orientation, in remarks delivered during both his election night victory speech and his swearing-in ceremony following the ABLP's landslide April 30 win.
UPP to Mark Labour Day with Beach Gathering Following General Election
The United Progressive Party has invited members and supporters to a Labour Day beach gathering at Ffryes Beach on May 4, days after the April 30 general election. The noon event is described as a family-friendly day of unity, relaxation and celebration.
PM Browne: Wage Increases Must Be Earned Through Greater Productivity
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned that recent wage increases — including a new minimum wage and a public sector salary rise — must be matched by measurable improvements in worker productivity. Speaking on his Saturday radio programme, Browne singled out inefficiencies in the public sector and called on all workers to adopt a stronger work ethic.
PM Browne Warns Public Sector Laggards as Government Pushes Wage Increases
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned public sector workers that higher wages must be matched by improved productivity, calling out what he described as longstanding inefficiency within government departments. The remarks came as his administration rolled out a minimum wage increase to EC$11.50 per hour and a five percent public sector salary raise.
CIWiL Hails Election of Two Women to Antigua and Barbuda Parliament
The Caribbean Women in Leadership (CIWiL) Antigua and Barbuda National Chapter has congratulated Maria Bird Browne and Kiz Johnson on their election to the House of Representatives, hailing their victories as a milestone for women's representation in national politics.
OAS Urges Electoral Reforms in Antigua and Barbuda Following April General Elections
The OAS Electoral Observation Mission has called for comprehensive reforms to Antigua and Barbuda's electoral system following the April 30 general elections, citing weaknesses in voter registration, campaign finance rules, and gender representation. The Mission praised the overall conduct of the polls but outlined several areas requiring legislative and administrative action.
OAS Commends Antigua's April 30 Election But Raises Turnout and Structural Concerns
The OAS Electoral Observation Mission has praised Antigua and Barbuda's April 30 general elections as transparent and orderly, but flagged a nearly eight-percentage-point drop in voter turnout and called for structural reforms to the electoral system.
PM Browne Dismisses Vote-Buying Claims, Credits Landslide Win to Government Performance
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has rejected opposition allegations of vote-buying following the ABLP's landslide victory, which saw the party win 15 of 17 parliamentary seats. Browne argued the result reflected voter confidence in his government's performance and stated that building materials were deliberately withheld before the election to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
Golding Congratulates Browne on Historic Fourth Consecutive Election Win
Jamaica's Opposition Leader Mark Golding has congratulated Prime Minister Gaston Browne after the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party secured a landslide victory, winning 15 of 17 seats. The result makes Browne the first prime minister in the nation's history to win four consecutive general elections.
Antigua and Barbuda Takes Centre Stage at UN Global Education Summit
A five-member Antiguan delegation took a leading role at the Transforming Global Education Summit at UN Headquarters in New York, with education officials and youth representatives presenting the country's vision for holistic, resilience-focused education reform. Director of Education Clare Browne and fellow delegates delivered remarks and moderated panels on mental health, nutrition, disaster resilience, and volunteerism in education.
Workers' Union Chief Calls for Labour Reform Amid Shifting Employment Landscape
Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Union General Secretary David Massiah has called for updated labour legislation and expanded worker protections, citing artificial intelligence, remote work, and the gig economy as growing challenges. Labour Week concludes Monday with the union's annual rally and march at its Lower Newgate Street headquarters.
ABWU's Massiah Calls for Urgent Labour Law Reforms as Workers Mark Labour Day
ABWU General Secretary Senator David Massiah is calling for urgent updates to Antigua and Barbuda's labour laws, citing the growing impact of artificial intelligence, the gig economy, and remote work. The Union will hold its annual Labour Day Rally and March on Monday, May 4, at its Lower Newgate Street headquarters.
PM Browne, Attorney General Retake Oaths After Outdated Wording Used at Swearing-In
Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin retook their oaths of office after an outdated version referencing the Crown, rather than the state, was mistakenly used during Friday's swearing-in ceremony. The error, attributed to wording not updated under the Oaths Act 2025, was quickly corrected in a follow-up ceremony.
Browne, Attorney General Retake Oaths After Outdated Version Used at Swearing-In
Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin were required to retake their oaths of office after an outdated version, referencing allegiance to the Crown, was mistakenly used at Friday's swearing-in ceremony. The error, identified after the ceremony, was swiftly corrected following the introduction of the Oaths Act 2025.
Newton Vows to Stay Active in Public Life After All Saints East & St Luke Defeat
Lamin Newton has issued a statement thanking supporters and pledging continued engagement in public life following his defeat in the All Saints East & St Luke constituency race. He congratulated incumbent MP Jamale Pringle on retaining the seat.
Queenela Williams Wins 2026 ABLP Labour Queen Crown
Queenela Williams of St. Mary's South has been crowned the 2026 Labour Queen after besting 13 competitors in the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party's annual pageant held Saturday night. Tonya Phillip finished as first runner-up in the contest, held under the theme "Echoes of the Past: Rhythm, Soul, Spirit."
ABLP and AT&LU to Hold Thanksgiving Service Marking 75 Years of Labour Day
The AT&LU and ABLP will host a Service of Thanksgiving on May 3, 2026, at the Gracefield Moravian Church in Cedar Grove to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Labour Day in Antigua and Barbuda.
ABEC to Close Registration Units May 5–8 to Rest Staff After Election
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission will close all Registration Units and its Headquarters from May 5 to 8, 2026, to allow staff to recover following the intense demands of the recent electoral cycle. Normal operations are set to resume on Monday, May 11.
CARICOM Observers Declare April 30 General Elections Peaceful and Well-Organised
A CARICOM Election Observation Mission has declared Antigua and Barbuda's April 30, 2026 general elections peaceful, orderly and well-administered, following the deployment of observers across 16 constituencies. The six-member team, led by Chief of Mission Maxine McClean, praised polling staff, law enforcement and the Electoral Commission for their professionalism.
OAS Flags Voter Turnout Decline as Observer Missions Declare Election Peaceful
Observer missions from the OAS, Commonwealth, and CARICOM have declared Antigua and Barbuda's general elections peaceful and credible, though the OAS flagged a decline in voter turnout to 62.41 percent and called for several electoral reforms. All three missions congratulated Prime Minister Browne following the ABLP's victory in 15 of 17 constituencies.