ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party ABLP) strengthened its slender majority in the Parliament on Tuesday after its candidate, Rawdon Turner won the St Peter by-election.
ABLP candidate, Rawdon Turner, being congratulated by party supporters following his victory in the St. Peter’s by-election on Tuesday.Preliminary results showed that Turner had received 1,672 votes compared to the candidate of the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), George Wehner, who polled 570 votes. There were 31 rejected ballots.
Electoral Commission Chairman, Arthur Thomas, described the voting as “relatively smooth, as an estimated 47.73 per cent of the 4,762 registered voters exercised their right to vote.
“It’s an honour to serve in that capacity… It’s a very humbling experience,” Turner told reporters early Wednesday morning, adding “I look forward to offering my skillset to nation building”.
The St. Peter’s seat became vacant following the murder of independent legislator, Asot Michel, 54, who was found dead at his home with “multiple puncture wounds about his body” on November 5. Police have since charged 27 year old Alexta Francis, with his murder.
Michael, who was first elected to the House of Representatives for the constituency of Saint Peter in 2004, had contested the last general election on January 18, 2023 as an independent candidate after he fell out with the ruling the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP)..”
The ABLP had won nine of the 17 seats in the last general election with the UPP winning six seats and the Barbuda People’s Movement winning the seat in Barbuda.
The by-election victory will give Prime Minister Gaston Browne more breathing space in the Parliament indicating that he intends naming Turner as a government minister.
“First of all, he’ll be elevated to ministerial status and will be in Cabinet (where) he’ll be in a position to meet the needs of the people of St Peter… He’s a homegrown talent, someone who’s committed to their empowerment and to protect them, and I’m pretty sure that the representation that will get from Rawdon Turner will be excellent”.
“But most importantly, he was able to show the people of St. Peter that he had a plan for the constituency. That is the level of commitment that Turner has for the constituency and the people have rewarded him with a victory,” said Browne.
“Even though he was defeated in the last general elections in 2023, Turner never gave up on the people of St. Peter. He continued to advocate for them and worked with various ministries to improve the infrastructure of the constituency.
“But most importantly, he was able to show the people of St. Peter that he had a plan for the constituency. That is the level of commitment that Turner has for the constituency and the people have rewarded him with a victory,” said Prime Minister Browne.
Turner is expected to be sworn in later on Wednesday.
