Antigua First Premier & Prime Ministers

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Vere Cornwal Bird of Antigua

Vere Cornwall Bird Senior

locally he is known as Papa Bird and considered by many antiguans as the father of the nation. Much can be attributed to his philosophy of resistance, commitment, courage and perseverance in his battle to eliminate the oppressive and exploitive working conditions employed by the English Plantocracy in the sugar industry and sea ports in colonial Antigua.

In spite of his contribution and list of accomplishment in Antigua, the legacy of Vere Cornwall Bird is one of much disappointment. In the late 1980s, the Bird administration was accused of peddling passports to non-Antiguans, mismanaging foreign loans, and using Antigua and Barbuda to launder arms shipments to South Africa.

 

First Chief minister:
  • Vere Cornwall Bird: 1st Jan 1960 - 27 Feb 1967 (+1999)

Premiers
  • Vere Cornwall Bird 27 Feb 1967 - 14 Feb 1971 (+1999) ALP
  • George Herbert Walter 14 Feb 1971 - 1st Feb 1976 PLM
  • Vere Cornwall Bird 1st Feb 1976 - 1st Nov 1981 (+1999) ALP

Prime ministers
  • Vere Cornwall Bird 1st Nov 1981 - 9 Mar 1994 (+1999) ALP
  • Lester Bryant Bird 9 Mar 1994 - 24 Mar 2004 ALP
  • Baldwin Spencer 24 Mar 2004 - UPP

Governors-General
  • Richard St. John Ormerod Wayne from 1947 to 1954.
  • Alec Lovelace from 1954 until 03.10.1958.
  • Sir Ian Graham Turbott from 1958 until 06.03.1964.
  • Sir David James Gardiner Rose from 1964 until 27.02.1967.
  • Wilfred E. Jacobs from 1967 until 10 Jun 1993.
  • James Beethoven Carlisle from 10 Jun 1993.

James Beethoven Carlisle

Governer of Antigua and Barbuda Governor of Antigua and Barbuda since the 10 Jun 1993. He became the second post colonialism governor of Antigua after the death of Sir Wilfred Jacobs.  Sir Wilfred was the fifth governor general to preside over the colony from 1967 until 1 Nov 1981 when he became Antigua's first post colonial governor.

Subsequently, he held the position until the 10 Jun 1993.  Governor Carlise was a practising Dentist and ardent supporter of the Antigua Labor Party (ALP) before he became Governor.

Vere Bird Junior Vere Bird Junior
Vere Bird Junior is the first son of Vere Cornwall Bird. A former (ALP) Antigua Labour Party government Minister, Vere Bird Junior was responsible for Aviation Public Works and Communications. He was accused of fraud in the negotiation and subsequent misappropriation of a French loan of US$11 million for the rehabilitation of the V.C. Bird International Airport.


Lester Bird Lester Bryant Bird
Lester Bird is the second son of Sir. Vere Cornwall Bird Senior. He became the second prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda.  His term in office was plagued by perpetual scandals and accusations of gross mismanagement, drug running and charges of corruption at the highest level. Eventually he was defeat in the 2004 general election by Balwind Spencer and the (UPP) United Progressive Party.


Baldwin Spencer Baldwin Spencer
Bald wind Spencer is the third prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda. He is rumored to be the Son of Vere Bird Senior, which would make him the brother of Vere Junior and Lester. As far as am aware he is yet to admit or deny these rumors. Unlike Lester and Vere, Baldwin Spencer is a by-product of the trade union movement and several parties. He first emerged with the PLM and George Walter who was obliterated by the birds. He reappeared again with the UPM which did not last to long.

 

In 1984 he came back with the United National Democratic Party (UNDP) led by Doctor Ivor Heath and they were also wiped out by the ALP and the Birds.  His latest and hopefully his last party is the United Progressive Party (UPP) currently the political party in power in Antigua and Barbuda. The legacy of prime minister Baldwin Spencer is yet to be written. I am hoping that by now politicians in Antigua have taken note of what happened to the last man that defeated Papa Bird in an election in Antigua. If the old sayings "like father like son" is true, well the next chapter in the political dynamics aand drama of Antigua politics is yet to begin.

 

 

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