Rawdon Turner of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) is set to become the next parliamentary representative for St Peter after defeating the United Progressive Party’s (UPP) George Wehner Tuesday night’s by-election.

This victory shifts the St Peter seat, previously held by independent MP Asot Michael, to the ABLP, further strengthening the party’s majority in the Lower House of Parliament. The ABLP now enjoys two additional seats, bolstered by Anthony Smith, a former UPP member who defected and currently serves as an Independent MP aligned with the government in his role as Minister of Agriculture.

The by-election saw a voter turnout of approximately 47.7%, with only 2,273 of the 4,762 registered voters casting ballots. Despite 153 additional voters registering for this election compared to the 2023 general election, turnout remained low across most of the 11 polling stations.

With the exception of Michael who ran as an independent candidate in 2023, the ABLP has never lost an election in St Peter. Whener stood neck-to-neck when compared to the UPP’s candidate Tevaughn Harriette with 601 in the 2023 general election versus Wehner’s 570 in the by-election.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans to appoint Turner to a ministerial role. Turner is expected to receive his instruments of appointment during a ceremony at Government House on Wednesday morning.