Prime Minister Gaston Browne was returned unopposed as leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) on Sunday, using his address at the party’s convention to frame the upcoming general election as a decisive moment for the country’s future.
Antigua and Barbuda’s general election has been officially set for April 30.
Speaking at the party’s headquarters, The People’s Place, Browne told supporters that voters face a clear choice between competing visions for the country.
“The choice before this nation is clear… between certainty and confusion, between progress and paralysis, between tested leadership and the untested ambition of the ignorant,” Browne said.
He urged voters not to “risk putting the governance of this country into incompetent hands,” warning that the election would determine whether Antigua and Barbuda continues along its current development path or reverses course.
Browne, who now heads into the election season at the helm of the ruling party, described the contest as being “primarily about the future of the country,” adding that it was “not the time for unnecessary risk-taking… to experiment with failed and incompetent leadership.”
The ABLP leader also criticized political opponents, accusing them of being unprepared to govern and motivated by self-interest.
“They are not ready… they are looking for personal opportunities to enrich themselves,” he said.
At the same time, Browne highlighted what he described as a generational transition within the ruling party, pointing to younger members being prepared for leadership roles.
“We have competent leaders, young, bright leaders… to ensure future leadership,” he said, noting that training and mentorship initiatives were already underway to ensure continuity.
Browne also outlined a broader vision for Antigua and Barbuda, describing efforts to transform the twin-island nation into a “lifestyle superpower,” with policies focused on wealth creation and expanding economic opportunities.
Among the achievements cited were tax concessions for homeowners and businesses, investments in education, and expanded tertiary education opportunities, including plans for a law degree programme at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
He also stressed the importance of national security to economic growth, telling supporters that “you cannot grow an economy in an unsafe environment,” while describing Antigua and Barbuda as “one of the safest places in the world.”
In closing, Browne called on party members to actively defend the government’s record during the campaign.
“You are ambassadors… you must defend the track record of this great institution,” he said, urging supporters to “carry the message of hope… good performance and good governance.”
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