BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LESS than 24 hours after the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) won a landslide victory in the General Elections, the party’s Leader and Vere Bird's grandson-in-law was sworn in as the fourth and youngest-ever Prime Minister of the twin-island Federation.
Gaston Brown took the Oath of Office, Allegiance and Secrecy yesterday (Jun. 13) at a Swearing In Ceremony officiated by the country’s Governor-General Dame Louise Lake-Tack.
Following the Swearing In Ceremony, CMC reported that an emotional Browne, in tears, said that the composition of his new administration would soon be known and that there would be some changes to existing ministerial portfolios.
And the Antigua Observer reported that after the Ceremony, he was greeted and congratulated by his supporters who were decked in the symbolic red ABLP outfits, which bore the campaign slogan, “Ready to Rebuild”.
The media outlet also reported that in his address to the gathering, Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne said: “I want to thank all of you for your kind support, love and affection. You are true patriots of Antigua & Barbuda. I assure you I will dedicate the rest of my life to fight for your empowerment. My story growing up in poverty, and fending for myself from the age of nine, could serve as an inspiration for others. If I did it, any one of you can do it; your children can do it.”
Among those present at the Swearing In Ceremony was Browne’s wife, Maria Vanessa Bird-Browne, granddaughter of Antigua and Barbuda’s first Prime Minister and National Hero the late Sir Vere Cornwall Bird.
Also sworn in to office yesterday was Attorney-at-Law Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin as the country's Attorney-General. He is a former Minister of Planning, Implementation and Public Service Affairs, and later Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Co-operatives under the Lester Bird-led Administration.
The ABLP on Thursday (Jun. 13) won 14 of the country’s seats while the United Progressive Party gained three to avoid a clean sweep of the Polls.
Former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer won in St. John’s Rural West, while his one-time Deputy Wilmoth Daniel took the St. Phillips South seat and newcomer Joanne Massiah was victorious in All Saints East and St. Luke.
The seats won by the ABLP are as follow: Michael Browne, All Saints West; Arthur Nibbs, Barbuda; Dean Jonas, St. George; Melford Nicholas, St. John's City East; Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin, St. John's City South; Gaston Browne, St. John's City West; Lester Bird, St. John's Rural East; Charles Max Fernandez, St. John's Rural North; Eustace Lake, St. John's Rural South; Molwyn Joseph, St. Mary's North; Samantha Marshall, St. Mary's South; Paul ‘Chet’ Greene, St. Paul; Asot Michael, St. Peter; and Robin Yearwood, St. Phillip North.
