The Progressive Labour Movement was a major

centre-left Centre-left politics lean to the left on the left–right political spectrum but are closer to the centre than other left-wing politics. Those on the centre-left believe in working within the established systems to improve social justice. The ...

political party A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific political ideology ...

Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (, ) is a sovereign country in the West Indies. It lies at the juncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles, at 17°N latitude. The country consists of two ...

and, until the 2000s, was the only political party to have defeated the

Antigua Labour Party The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) is a political party in Antigua and Barbuda. The current leader of the party is Gaston Browne, who serves as the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. The party had previously been led by Lester Bird ...

in an election.

History

The party was established in 1968 under the leadership of George Walter and

Donald Halstead Donald is a masculine given name derived from the Goidelic languages, Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic language, Proto-Celtic *''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is part ...

, emerging from the

Antigua Workers Union Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barb ...

, which had been established in 1967 as a breakaway from the

-affiliated

Antigua Trades and Labour Union The Antigua Trades and Labour Union (ATLU) is a national Trade union of Antigua and Barbuda. It was formed in 1939 and is closely related to the Antigua Labour Party. It has a membership of 7,000 and is led by Wigley George as president. His ...

. In the 1971 election, it won 57.7% of the vote and 13 of the 17 seats in the House of Representatives, the first time the

had lost an election. Walter became

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is ...

. A series of corruption scandals involving PLM ministers, together with a severe economic downturn caused by the Oil Shock, led to a drop in support for the PLM. Nevertheless, it still won a plurality of votes in the

1976 elections The following elections occurred in the year 1976. Africa * 1976–1977 Guinea-Bissau legislative election * 1976 Malawian general election * 1976 Mauritanian presidential election * 1976 Tiris El Gharbiya parliamentary by-election (Mauritan ...

. However, despite receiving the most votes, it won only five seats, whilst the ALP won 11.Nohlen, pp68-70 In the

1980 elections The following elections occurred in the year 1980. Africa * 1980 Angolan legislative election * 1980 Cameroonian presidential election * 1980 Cape Verdean parliamentary election * 1980 Gabonese legislative election * 1980 Guinean legislative ...

, the party lost more support, and won only three seats. A further slump saw them lose their parliamentary representation following the

1984 elections The following elections occurred in the year 1984. Africa * 1984 Beninese parliamentary election * 1984 Botswana general election * 1984 Burundian presidential election * 1984 Cameroonian presidential election * 1984 Comorian presidential electi ...

, in which they received only 356 votes. It did not contest the 1989 elections and, in 1992 it was one of three parties that merged to form the United Progressive Party.Nohlen, p63

Electoral results

House of Representatives

References

Labour parties Defunct political parties in Antigua and Barbuda Political parties established in 1968 1968 establishments in Antigua and Barbuda Political parties disestablished in 1992 1992 disestablishments in Antigua and Barbuda Social democratic parties in North America {{Antigua-party-stub