Antigua and Barbuda general election, 1971

General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 11 February 1971.^[1] They were won by the Progressive Labour Movement. PLM leader George Walter was elected Premier of Antigua, defeating the incumbent Premier Vere Bird of the Antigua Labour Party. The PLM was founded in 1967 after a split in the leadership of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union; this was its first election, as well as its first and only electoral victory.

The 1971 election marked the first change of government in the history of Antigua and Barbuda. It was the first election held in the territory since its creation as a West Indies Associated State in 1967 and the end of its period under British colonial rule. Voter turnout was 56.4%.^[1]

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/-
Progressive Labour Movement	9,761	57.7	13	New
Antigua Labour Party	6,409	37.9	4	-6
Antigua People's Party	595	3.5	0	New
Independents	157	0.9	0	0
Invalid/blank votes	397	-	-	-
Total	17,309	100	17	+7
Source: Nohlen

References

1. Nohlen, D (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I, p66 ISBN 978-0-19-928357-6