Prime Minister and Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) Leader Gaston Browne has given his full endorsement to Randy Baltimore in the upcoming March 16 by-election, urging supporters to deliver what he described as a “resounding victory” in the constituency.
Addressing a town hall meeting, Browne described Baltimore as a “homegrown representative” who was born, raised and continues to live in St. Philip’s North.
“You have your homegrown representative who stood with you in the past and is still standing with you and will stand with you in the future,” Browne said. “What is happening here is a form of leadership continuity.”
Browne thanked constituents for their decades-long support of the Labour Party and the late Sir Robin Yearwood’s 50 years of parliamentary service, describing St. Philip’s North as a traditional stronghold of the party.
“Despite the fact that St. Philip’s North has been a garrison constituency, we will never take you for granted,” he said, pledging continued priority attention to infrastructure and community concerns, including issues surrounding the police station and other projects.
Highlighting Baltimore’s decision to leave his post after 27 years of service in Customs, Browne framed the move as a sacrifice in the interest of public service.
“He has just given it all up to serve you — 27 years,” Browne said. “That is what you call commitment.”
The Labour leader called on supporters to revalidate their voter identification cards and avoid complacency ahead of the polls.
“It’s not just about winning,” Browne said. “We have to send a firm message, an unequivocal message. We cannot become complacent.”
He announced that party officials would suspend regular executive meetings to focus on mobilising voters in St. Philip’s North, with teams going “door to door” and “street to street” in the lead-up to election day.
“We want this victory not just to be an ordinary victory. It must be a resounding victory,” Browne said, challenging supporters to surpass previous vote margins.
Browne also used the platform to highlight what he described as national progress under the Labour Party, citing infrastructure development, job creation and housing expansion, and arguing that stability and continued economic growth depend on maintaining the party’s leadership.
“We are here to serve you. You can trust us. We have brought you stability,” he said.
The March 16 by-election will determine the next parliamentary representative for St. Philip’s North.