BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Mar. 22.2018 - THE Gaston Browne-led Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has won that island’s elections with a landslide victory.
According to preliminary polling data out of the electoral office, the party has won 15 of the 17 seats that were on offer at the polls.
That is one more that what the party picked up at the 2014 General Elections, as Browne’s wife, Maria Bird-Browne also took victory in St. John’s rural East.
The United Progressive Party took one seat on Antigua, through Jamal Pringle who took All Saints East
Information out of Antigua indicates that the ABLP candidate in that Constituency mounted an unsuccessful challenge after having a recount ordered.
It is said that after the recount, he lost the seat.
The Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM) on Barbuda took the only seat up for grabs on the smaller island.
Addressing his supporters last evening, Browne said he was pleased with the support that was given to his party during the very short campaign.
“I say to you, that we will build on the gains we made during the last three and three-quarter years.”
Additionally, he pointed out that it is not time to revel but to bring the people together.
“Today, we are not here to gloat about this victory, we have to bring the people together notwithstanding their persuasion. We must embrace them. I do accept that the comrades who toiled; you must be given priority but at the same time we must not divide the country for politics.”
He added that, “It is true that politics by nature is divisive, but at the same time whereas we have our differences, I say to you that those differences should not result in any form of permanent division.”.
Browne criticized the people of Barbuda for their vote, noting that by electing the BPM Representative “it will stymie” the progress on the island.
He said he hopes that Trevor Walker and the BPM members will change their ways and work with the government constructively in order to advance Barbuda.
Browne was today sworn in along with the other candidates from the party.
