Politics
1026 articles
ABLP Calls on Voters to Renew ID Cards Ahead of General Elections
The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party is urging voters to renew their Voter ID cards immediately ahead of the upcoming General Elections, warning against last-minute delays. The party also reaffirmed its confidence heading into the electoral cycle, citing its record of governance and development.
PM Browne Advises Governor General to Dissolve Parliament April 1, Election Expected in Late April
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has advised Governor General Sir Rodney Williams to dissolve Parliament on April 1, setting the stage for a general election in late April. The timeline was adjusted to give the opposition additional time to finalize its candidate slate.
MPs and Audience Walk Out as Opposition Leader Delivers Scathing Tribute to Sir Molwyn
Parliament descended into open division as government members and gallery attendees walked out during Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle's sharply critical tribute to former minister Sir Molwyn Joseph. Pringle broke from convention, refusing to offer praise and instead delivering a frank assessment of Joseph's record.
New St. Philip's North MP Baltimore Pledges Results-Driven Leadership in Parliament Debut
Randy Baltimore, the newly elected MP for St. Philip's North, made his parliamentary debut on Friday, promising accountable, results-driven leadership focused on infrastructure, youth development, environmental stewardship and community safety.
MPs, Public Walk Out as Opposition Leader Delivers Scathing Tribute to Retiring Sir Molwyn
Government MPs and members of the public walked out of Antigua's Lower House in protest after Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle delivered a scathing critique of retiring 38-year parliamentarian Sir Molwyn Joseph during a tribute session. According to Antigua News Room, Pringle accused Sir Molwyn of presiding over a deteriorating health sector and a neglected constituency.
Randy Baltimore Sworn In as St Philip North MP, Elected Deputy Speaker
Randy Baltimore was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for St Philip North on Friday and was subsequently elected Deputy Speaker of the House, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Sir Robin Yearwood.
Randy Baltimore Elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly
Randy Baltimore has been elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly following his swearing-in as a Member of Parliament. Prime Minister Browne nominated Baltimore for the role, which became vacant after the resignation of Sir Robin Yearwood.
PM Browne Announces Parliament Will Be Prorogued During Tribute Sitting
Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that Parliament will be prorogued, making the surprise declaration during a House of Representatives sitting devoted to ceremonial tributes. The move signals a suspension of the current legislative session, with a formal statement from the Prime Minister expected shortly.
PM Browne Announces Parliament to Be Prorogued
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that parliament will be prorogued, with a formal statement expected shortly. The announcement came during a sitting that featured tributes to a late MP and remarks marking a change in parliamentary membership.
Randy Baltimore Sworn In as MP for St. Philip's North After Landslide By-Election Win
Randy Baltimore has been sworn in as the new Member of Parliament for St. Philip's North after capturing nearly 70 per cent of the vote in the March 16 by-election. He succeeds Sir Robin Yearwood, who served in parliament for 50 years before retiring at age 80.
Ministry Opens Applications for 2026 OAS Academic Scholarships
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries is inviting applications for the 2026 OAS Academic Scholarship Program, with a deadline of Friday, 2nd April, 2026. The scholarships target students enrolled in the last two years of a Bachelor's Degree programme.
Antigua and Barbuda to Get First National Cardiology Center by Year's End
Antigua and Barbuda's Cabinet has approved the establishment of the country's first National Cardiology Center, set to be operational by year's end through a partnership with Hangzhou Normal University. The facility aims to eliminate the need for patients to travel abroad for critical cardiac procedures.
Opinion: UPP Faces Questions Over Leadership, Unity, and Electoral Relevance
A pointed political commentary, as reported by Antigua News Room, argues that the United Progressive Party remains mired in leadership disputes, electoral underperformance, and strategic inconsistency, raising serious questions about its readiness to govern.
St. Philip's North MP Holds Contractor Meeting Ahead of Constituency Road Works
St. Philip's North MP Randy Baltimore has met with local contractors to discuss upcoming road improvement works and infrastructure projects, with a stated focus on creating economic opportunities for young people and small businesses in the constituency.
Cabinet Moves to Fix Public Smoking Law After Arrest-Only Policy Sparks Backlash
Cabinet has agreed to amend the country's public smoking law and restore a ticketing system for violations, after an arrest-only enforcement policy drew widespread criticism. Director General for Communications Maurice Merchant said Parliament must clarify the legislation to prevent courts from being overwhelmed by minor smoking offences.
UPP Presses On With Election Petition as Court Sets April Hearing for Baltimore Case
The High Court has denied a UPP injunction seeking to block the swearing-in of St. Philip's North MP Randy Baltimore, while scheduling a full hearing on the party's election petition for April 13. The UPP maintains that Baltimore was still a public officer at the time of his nomination and has vowed to press the legal challenge to its conclusion.
Opinion: Why All Saints West Voters Should Reject Harold Lovell at the Polls
An opinion piece published by Antigua News Room argues that All Saints West voters should reject Harold Lovell, citing his electoral record, age, opposition status, and ministerial performance as reasons he would not effectively serve the constituency.
Ambassador Sanders: OAS Risks Irrelevance Through Silence on Hemisphere's Pressing Issues
Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the OAS, warns that the organization risks irrelevance by avoiding difficult political issues and facing deepening financial constraints. He calls on member states to engage substantively, fund the institution adequately, and embrace multilateral diplomacy rather than managed silence.
Letter: Are Antigua's Cultural Ambassadors Delivering Real Impact?
A letter published by Antigua News Room questions whether the country's Cultural Ambassadors are delivering measurable results, calling for a shift from ceremonial recognition to structured, youth-focused cultural development strategies.
Baltimore Eligibility Case Remains Active Despite Injunction Denial, Attorney Says
Attorney Sherfield Bowen says the High Court's refusal to block Randy Baltimore's swearing-in as St. Philip's North MP does not settle his eligibility, with the substantive case set to be heard on an expedited basis ahead of April 27. The dispute centres on conflicting dates for Baltimore's departure from the public service and whether he remained a public officer on Nomination Day.