2014 Antiguan general election

General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 12 June 2014.^[1] The result was a victory for the opposition Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party led by Gaston Browne, which won 14 of the 17 seats. Following the election, Browne became the country's youngest Prime Minister.

2014 Antiguan general election

← 2009 12 June 2014 2018 →
← outgoing members elected members →
All 17 seats in the House of Representatives 9 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	90.27% ( 10.00pp)
First party Second party   Leader Gaston Browne Baldwin Spencer Party ABLP UPP Last election 47.16%, 7 seats 50.95%, 9 seats Seats won 14 3 Seat change 7 6 Popular vote 24,212 17,994 Percentage 56.45% 41.95% Swing 9.29pp 9.00pp
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before election Baldwin Spencer UPP Subsequent Prime Minister Gaston Browne ABLP

Background

After a long delay due to a pending Court order about a boundary change which would have affected the parliamentary seats, on 15 May 2014 the Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer set the election day.^[2]

Electoral system

The 17 elected members of the House of Representatives were elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post.^[3] There were 164 polling stations.^[4]

Campaign

During the campaign Gaston Browne said that he would make the country an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean. He also campaigned on turning around a stagnant economy, high unemployment and crime. He further sought to bring about full employment and attract investment while saying "there will be no quick fixes" and it would take time to change.^[4]

Results

The Labour Party won 14 of 17 seats, while the ruling UPP won the other three seats.^[5] UPP Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer was re-elected in his seat by a narrow margin of about 30 votes.^[6] Arthur Nibbs of the Labour Party was elected in Barbuda by a single vote, which remains the last occasion that a national party won the Barbuda constituency.

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	24,212	56.45	14	+7
	United Progressive Party	17,994	41.95	3	−6
	Barbuda People's Movement	484	1.13	0	−1
	Antigua & Barbuda True Labour Party	182	0.42	0	New
	Antigua Barbuda People's Movement	13	0.03	0	New
	Missing Link VOP	7	0.02	0	New
Total		42,892	100.00	17	0
Valid votes		42,892	99.57
Invalid/blank votes		185	0.43
Total votes		43,077	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		47,720	90.27
Source: Antigua Elections

By constituency

Constituency	Electorate	Turnout	%	Political party		Candidate	Votes	%
All Saints East & St. Luke	3,365	3,087	91.74		United Progressive Party	Joanne Massiah	1,438	51.69
					Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Colin James	1,438	46.78
					Antigua Barbuda People's Movement	Owen George	12	0.39
All Saints West	3,959	3,560	89.92		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Michael Browne	1,931	54.49
					United Progressive Party	Lorencezo Codrington	1,596	45.03
					Antigua & Barbuda True Labour Party	Dayton Samuel	17	0.48
Barbuda	1,017	972	95.58		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Arthur Nibbs	485	50.05
					Barbuda People's Movement	Trevor Walker	484	49.95
St. George	4,535	4,012	88.47		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Dean Jonas	2,182	54.51
					United Progressive Party	Jacqui Quinn-Leandro	1,765	44.09
					Antigua and Barbuda True Labour Party	Kelton Dalso	56	1.40
St. John's City East	1,585	1,480	93.38		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Melford Nicholas	794	53.79
					United Progressive Party	Harold Lovell	682	46.21
St. John's City South	1,459	1,323	90.68		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Cutie Benjamin	828	62.92
					United Progressive Party	Mervyn Richards	488	37.08
St. John's City West	2,335	2,131	91.26		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Gaston Browne	1,394	65.57
					United Progressive Party	Colin Derrick	732	34.43
St. John's Rural East	4,169	3,719	89.21		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Lester Bird	2,144	57.95
					United Progressive Party	Leon Cort	1,556	42.05
St. John's Rural North	3,406	3,089	90.69		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Max Fernandez	1,860	60.55
					United Progressive Party	Hubert Maginley	1,205	39.23
					Missing Link VOP	Nigel Bascus	7	0.23
St. John's Rural South	2,924	2,592	88.82		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Eustace Lake	1,548	59.84
					United Progressive Party	Philmore Benjamin	1,011	39.08
					Antigua and Barbuda True Labour Party	Vere Bird III	28	1.08
St. John's Rural West	4,493	3,978	88.54		United Progressive Party	Baldwin Spencer	1,993	50.38
					Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Londell Benjamin	1,963	49.62
St. Mary's North	4,127	3,690	89.41		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Molwyn Joseph	2,089	56.80
					United Progressive Party	Chester Hughes	1,589	43.20
St. Mary's South	2,131	1,959	91.93		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Samantha Marshall	1,009	52.09
					United Progressive Party	Hilson Baptiste	928	47.91
St. Paul	2,734	2,453	89.72		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Chet Green	1,453	59.23
					United Progressive Party	Eleston Adams	969	39.53
					Antigua and Barbuda True Labour Party	Shoy Athill	29	1.18
St. Peter	2,849	2,526	88.66		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Asot Michael	2,182	54.51
					United Progressive Party	Clephane Roberts	733	28.83
					Antigua and Barbuda True Labour Party	Sharlene Warner-Samuel	52	2.08
St. Philip North	1,580	1,446	91.52		Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Robin Yearwood	951	66.23
					United Progressive Party	Shawn Nicholas	485	33.77
St. Philip South	1,056	968	91.67		United Progressive Party	Wilmoth Daniel	523	54.37
					Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party	Lennox Weston	439	45.63
Source: Caribbean Elections

Reactions

Browne said of the result that "it is evident that the people have spoken and they have spoken resoundly. [sic] [I am] very humbled by the mandate. The reality is that this country is in dire straits and would require the efforts of the entire nation. [The win is] one for you the people. We have actually set an impressive vision for this country. I remain hopeful and very optimistic about the future of the Antigua and Barbuda. I want us to work towards the vision and to make Antigua and Barbuda the envy of the other countries in the world. [The victory] itself actually speaks volumes. I would not think we could have deserved a better out turn."^[4] Spencer accepted defeat, saying that the people had clearly chosen the ALP.^[6]

International

 Saint Kitts and Nevis Team Unity leader Timothy Harris congratulated Browne and said he would support the new government. He added: "I extend my very best wishes to you and your incoming administration as you assume the mandate of service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda and the region. From our many interactions over the years, I know that you are passionate and committed to build a better Antigua and Barbuda and Caribbean region. In that noble mission of service to the people you have our every encouragement and support."^[5]

Government formation

Attorney Steadroy "Cuttie" Benjamin became the attorney general.^[4]

References

1. "Voting Day is June 12, 2014" Archived 17 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Antigua Observer, 15 May 2014
2. Opposition party promises to raise the game Antigua Observer, 17 May 2014
3. Electoral system IPU
4. "Opposition ALP wins Antigua general election". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
5. "Dr Harris congratulates Antigua Barbuda's Prime Minister Designate Gaston Browne on Election Win". SKNVibes. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
6. Charles, Jacqueline. "Browne becomes new prime minister of Antigua, youngest ever". Miami Herald. Retrieved 14 June 2014.