BREAKING NEWS: ABLP Poised to field Dr Philmore Benjamin in St Mary’s North; Kendra Beazer tapped for Barbuda

The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has reportedly chosen Dr Philmore Benjamin as its candidate for the St Mary’s North constituency, replacing longtime incumbent Sir Molwyn Joseph, while environmental advocate Kendra Beazer has been tapped to carry the party’s banner in Barbuda.

Dr. Benjamin is set to replace Sir Molwyn Joseph at the ABLP’s delegates convention, now confirmed for April 12, which is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s slate of candidates ahead of the next general elections, constitutionally due in 2028.

However, spectators say Prime Minister Gaston Browne could call snap elections in a matter of weeks.

The moves signal a significant generational and strategic shift for the ruling party as it prepares its candidate slate ahead of the next general election.

Benjamin, a family physician who operates Doctor’s Clinic in St John’s and brings more than 30 years of experience in medicine, crossed from the United Progressive Party (UPP) to the ABLP last year, having resigned from the opposition party alongside several other high-profile figures.

He was subsequently appointed by Cabinet as a consultant to the country’s community clinics, tasked with identifying gaps in primary healthcare delivery and recommending ways to expand services.

Beazer’s selection for Barbuda represents the ABLP’s latest challenge to the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM), which has dominated the sister island’s parliamentary seat under the leadership of Trevor Walker.

Beazer, who previously served as a member of the Barbuda Council under the BPM banner and chaired the Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and Coastal Protection portfolio, later aligned with the ABLP.

He holds a Master of Arts degree in Environmental Policy Design and has been recognised internationally for his climate advocacy work, including a stint as Environment Thematic Lead at the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust (QCT).

The ABLP has not held the Barbuda parliamentary seat since Arthur Nibbs lost it following Hurricane Irma’s devastation of the island in 2017.

Walker has since retained the seat across successive elections, and the BPM swept all five contested seats in the March 2025 Barbuda Council elections.