Sir Robin Yearwood has resigned as parliamentary representative for St. Philip’s North after 50 consecutive years in the House of Representatives.
The announcement came Wednesday during a special sitting of Parliament marking his five decades of uninterrupted service, when House Speaker Osbert Frederick read a letter dated Feb. 18, 2026, from the veteran lawmaker.
In the letter, Sir Robin wrote that he had served in the House since Feb. 18, 1976, and had been returned to Parliament by the people of St. Philip’s North on 11 separate occasions. He described his tenure as “long and successful,” noting that he retained his seat even when the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party lost the majority and ceased being the government in 2004 and 2009.
Sir Robin recounted his service in several senior Cabinet roles, including minister of finance, deputy prime minister, minister of agriculture, minister of aviation and minister of public utilities, with responsibility for multiple government agencies and statutory bodies.
He credited his party’s vision with shaping what he described as a proud, sovereign and resilient nation, and said he was pleased to believe that his contribution helped to build a “sovereign, wealthier, prideful, accomplished” Antigua and Barbuda that leads the Caribbean in human development.
The longtime MP also expressed gratitude to his family, friends, church members and constituents for their support over the years, saying their backing allowed him to serve with stability and confidence.
“I believe that the time has come for me to pass the baton to a younger and more vigorous representative,” he wrote, adding that no time could be better than upon achieving the 50-year milestone.
Sir Robin advised that his resignation takes effect immediately and closed by wishing continued blessings upon Parliament and Antigua and Barbuda.
His departure ends one of the longest uninterrupted parliamentary tenures in the nation’s history and triggers the process for selecting a new representative for St. Philip’s North.