Prime Minister Gaston Browne led his ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to victory in Wednesday’s general elections after the party had won nine of the 10 seats declared here early Thursday, according to the preliminary figures released by the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC).
Browne, who called the poll more than a year ahead of the constitutional deadline, easily won his St. John’s City West seat, as the ABLP was on track to complete a rout of the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP).
He said he was pleased that the voters in his constituency had “invested in him” adding “I can assure them of bigger and better things to come”.
Browne spoke of a number of multi-million dollar projects earmarked for the area, which he said would become the “envy of other constituencies over the next five years’.
AB electionsThe UPP, which was seeking to regain the government it lost in 2014, suffered heavily with both its leader, Harold Lovell and the deputy, Wilmoth Daniel, a veteran politician failing to win their seats.
Lovell was seeking to regain the St. John’s City East seat, which he lost in 2014 to the incumbent Melford Nicholas of the ABLP.
Nicholas polled 769 votes as against 616 for Lovell and 16 votes for Bruce Goodwin of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).
“This is a historic time for the people of Barbuda,” Walker said, noting that this is the first time that a candidate has won the seat by more than 100 seats.
In Barbuda, the ABLP lost the sole seat there Trevor Walker of the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) easily defeated the incumbent Arthur Nibbs of the ABLP by 568 to 429 votes.
“This is a historic time for the people of Barbuda,” Walker said, noting that this is the first time that a candidate has won the seat by more than 100 seats.
“I am very happy tonight. I have made history in so many ways. I have won all the boxes and that has never happened and the people have said to the administration that they are fed up,” he added.
Among the victorious ABLP candidates are attorney general Steadroy Benjamin and Asot Michael, the former tourism minister who was sacked from the cabinet after he was arrested by Metropolitan Police in Britain last October.
Browne’s wife, Maria, a newcomer to politics, is on the verge of winning the St. John Rural seat that had been held previously by former prime minister and family member, Sir Lester Bird. She has so far polled 1,135 votes as against 567 for Trevor Young of the UPP and Vere Cornelius 109, with four more boxes to be counted.
In the 2014 general election, the ABLP had won 14 of the 17 seats at stake. The remaining three seats had gone to the UPP.
Gaston Browne won re-election by a landslide despite the outrageous assault on his character by world famous criminal Ken Rijok over the last several weeks. Obviously, Antiguans are not as quick to crucify their Samaritans as Dominicans do and listened to the inner voices of conscience and reason.. Ken Rijok who without mercy and relent steadfastly campaigned via his blog for a political upset in Antigua fell flat on his face. His lies should be taken up by the US government as evidence of interference in the political affairs of a foreign sovereign nation.
Where do you live Winston warrington. Labor party won with Gaston Brown with the heavy bribery and give away which took place within the last four before the election.Free concerts,television,money in T-shirt’s,laptop,stoves,beds, just call the furniture and appliances , not forgetting ham and turkey.The high percentage of foreign national of Dominica,Guyana and Jamaica who stupidly say they vote labor in their respective countries so will vote labor in Antigua.Gaston Browne is the Donald Trump of the Caribbean.I feel ashame when I hear our prime minister and Tony Asthaphan who is singing for his supper is bugging up Antigua labor party.as a Dominican who voted UPP and will do so again..Never again will I vote Dominica Labor Party again. Birds of a feather flock together..From my observation Antigua labor party is putting Dlp to shame where corruption is concern and looking for the interest of their people.
Winston, quit beibeing a soouceer! Everything Rijok says can be verified with a few clicks of a mouse on a computer. STOP verifying the man for your own darn agenda…SMFH. People like you are sic sick sick and care les about the plight of Dcans but rather to line your own pockets under the DLP dictatorship.
When Mugabe fell all soouceer in Zimbabwe ran like hell to neighboring so fear not my friend because the time for reckoning is drawing neigh.
Assertive like Hurricane Maria!
This man deserve to win….. Dominicans moved to ANU in droves after Maria and found employment in matter of two weeks, and gainful employment I might add, making twice the amount that they would ever be able to make in Dominica…..the man have ANU like milk and honey, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT???
THE MAN WORKING FOR HIS PEOPLE!!!!! Dominicans cannot find jobs in their own country and have to wait for a likkle opening in NEP or take elevator to see Skerrit!!!!!
half of those shouting labor all the way dont even have roof on their house
This happens when opposition parties such as the UPP in Antigua (and yes UWP in Dominica) cannot get their acts together to prove themselves as a viable alternative to the siting party in government ( as corrupt and inefficient as they may be). I am on the ground and can tell you that many people (even diehard labourites are getting weary af Skerrit and his brand of leadership and where it is or rather is NOT taking Dominica). However, if the current opposition doesn’t change it’s cutrent leader who is clearly as arrorogant and incompetent (if not even MORE so than the current PM) then most will just see it as jumping from the frying pan into the fire and will just continue to unwillingly go with the staus quo (remember the saying of better to go with the devil you know than the one you don’t?). New inspiring leadership is needed in DA NOW for much needed change to happen. If the main opposition UWP continues to remain so foolish that they cannot see the URGENT need to change…
….their current leadership then unfortunately they too like the UPP in Antigua will be doomed to suffering a similar fate come the next elections.
I have to say a list Antigua Is better of than Dominica ??In my travels I see Dominican leaving Dominica like birds heading for Antigua in search of a better life . So this guy at the end of the day is doing something good for his people. So on that note sir I say congratulations ?
The victories of the incumbent political parties at the recent polls in Grenada and Antigua & Barbuda have absolutely no influence on politics in Dominica. A careful analysis of Skerrit’s tenure as the political leader of Dominica is shockingly distressing. Let’s carefully examine all the fundamental structures of Dominica. The Economy, Healthcare, National Security, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Education, all get an abysmal failing grade. The country’s leader is found wanting. He has no charisma, not articulate, lacks humility, intellectually daft, uncouth and hasty. At present, Dominica needs an unselfish and humble leader who inspires hope, engenders co-operation, espouses and practises fairness to all, and one who treats all citizens (supporters and opposition) with respect and dignity. Dominica is at its lowest ebb right now. After eighteen consecutive years of Skerrit’s misrule, it’s time for a CHANGE!
The CHANGE that is needed at this time is to CHANGE LENNOX LINTON as the Leader of the opposition to see if( which will never happen that soon)UWP will get a chance to form the Government one day.
Mr. Kid, nothing lasts forever. Life has its mountains and its valleys. It’s inevitable that Skerrit’s rule would come to an end and much sooner than obdurate supporters like you may think. Mr. Kid, have you ever traveled to some of the neighboring islands? They put Dominica to shame with their economic and infrastructural developments. I have carefully evaluated and assessed the PM’s capabilities. He doesn’t possess the innate qualities of an astute leader. Here are seven qualities of a good leader: 1) Integrity 2) courage 3) vision 4) humility 5) focus 6) ability to plan strategically 7) catalyze cooperation
Personally I don’t hate him (Skerrit) but political he deserves the country’s collective scorn for his crude, hostile, arrogant and juvenile behavior and his insatiable appetite for wealth.
????????? sooner than later the reality will struck you in the face.
I love when you all fool you all self like this.
That good thing about this is ONLY YOU ALL BELIEVE ALL YOU AND NO ONE ELSE.
So keep saying that
Opposition parties have a right to say what they want till reality hits
So Ibo France, you are saying that PM Skerrit has all of those negative characters which you have labeled him to be, here, and yet he gets a majority vote at election time–eve as close as 4 years ago, come December this year?
Are you saying that the majority of Dominicans are so naive that they cannot see what you are seeing in PM Skerrit? Well, I don’t think so! PM Skerrit is no way like the characters which you have given him; in fact, he is all the opposite; and this is obvious both in Dominica and Internationally.
He has no charisma you say! Come on man; don’t you know the meaning of charisma?
If we follow the politics of the Caribbean the two men who most recently won massive electoral victories are on a daily basis criticized in radio talk shows as corrupt and dictatorial. One music video likened Gaston Browne to well known dictators of the past. I have said here several times that this type of politics doesn’t work and if the United Workers Party of Dominica doesn’t change that strategy, the party will suffer a similar fate. Those who hate the idea of Mr Skerrit being being leader for the next 50 years, as was said by him, are unwittingly helping him in doing just that.
It is silly what you all are doing. When people make comments, without knowing who they are you try insults like referring to me as one who begs for crumbs from Skerrit table. This is nonsensical. I do not know Roosevelt Skerrit personally, I have no contact with him or any one in his party. As a matter of fact I have not been residing in Dominica for approximately 13 years now.
I am just concerned about the land of my birth. I see poor governance, but no viable option for a replacement.
I believe DLP will win our next election, but it definitely wont be a clean sweep. I imagine they will lose more ground as time goes by.
Mistah looking like a slick and cunning man just off his face alone… Look at his hitler mustache
Black people really does fall for anything
All those haters leave Lennox alone Dominicans
Would be well foolish to vote back Labour Too
Much ( mezer) mesery
Antigua Doing super fine
Grenada. Doing super fine
Dominica. Alas Alas. Alas
Vote Lennox for a better Dominica
Skerrit must goooooooo
you riddeing too high rider only two you all getting
If you lived in Antigua and not fooled by ABLP and have an open mind to choose for yourself you would not say these things
I am having second thoughts ever supporting DLP again .I will never support UWP under the leadership of Lennox Linton.The statement Skerritt made about opposition parties is bothering me.Lived most of my life in Antigua and the ABLP is the most corrupt PARTY IN THE CARIBBEAN..Those Blind Dominican who have no idea what they are voting for in Antigua would say UPP don’t like foreigners which is what ABLP FOOL them with.You want to hear about Bribery before Election? ABLP is putting DLP to shame. There were money given in T-shirts, televisions, phones,fridges,microwave,vouchers for gas to run in motorcade ECT. The regular people have no idea what they are voting for as long as they take those bribes..I voted UPP and will continue because they put people first.
Boy any party that choosing red for their color are always corrupt and evil RED is a color that attracts evil people boss. Chavez red, Trump Red, Skerrit red, Kim Jong un red, all them people care about is themselves and stupid people falling for it
that make you one too open your mouth what do you see
so full of it
This proves that the comments of the PM that the oppositions in the Caribbean is out of touch in regards to governance and peoples need is so correct. The opposition here in Dominica is so guilty of this and will continue to pay heavily at the polls until and unless they come much better than what they currently offer.
I am a UWP supporter and if they don’t get a new leader they will suffer a similar fate as the UPP in Antigua. Clearly Lennox Linton cannot inspire people. He does not have good people skills, his legal battles has affected his ability to lead and the lack of a formal education is troubling.
Please UWP delegates do something quick to change the image of the party at your upcoming convention. Save the party from embarrassment at the next general elections and replace Lennox quickly. I think Mr. Crispin Gregoire could be a better person to lead at this time.
Skerrit wants Lennox to lead UWP because he knows Lennox will never win an election in Dominica.
@zandoli – Skerrit wants Lennox to lead UWP? Huh?
If so, why then are they persistently pushing various forms of covert & overt PROPAGANDA (read up on that word) in an effort to influence the UWP to replace Lennox as leader?
You really think Skerrit wants the UWP to replace Lennox with another leader so it could be stronger and threaten his party? You ain’t realize that it is because the UWP is getting increasingly stronger under Lennox and the rest of his team that they DLP are utilizing more and more propaganda to get him out as UWP leader.
For your information, the UWP gained 4927 more votes in the 2014 election (Lennox first election as UWP leader) over the 2009 election whereas the Labour party only gained an increase of 1186 votes in the 2014 election over the 2009 election.
You can verify this by doing a simple Google research of Dominica’s 2009 & 2014 election results here – http://www.caribbeanelections.com/dm/elections/dm_results_2014.asp
AND SKERRIT DEM…
hmm. Politricks.
Laboooor! all the way. Congratulation to you and your team, Sir!
Something Happening… D A next!
You like your PM? Well Vote for HIM…. Skerro.. Skerro…
Grenada, Antigua, Dominica next….. 21 – 0 ( in favor of DLP)
No WHITE POWDER can stop that!
you jokes
they will get two man 
