Gaston Browne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gaston Browne
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Browne in 2022
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| 4th Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda | |
| Assumed office 13 June 2014 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Governor-General | Louise Lake-Tack Rodney Williams |
| Preceded by | Baldwin Spencer |
| Chairman of the Caribbean Community | |
| In office 1 January 2021 – 30 June 2021 |
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| Secretary-General | Irwin LaRocque Carla Barnett |
| Preceded by | Keith Rowley |
| Succeeded by | Johnny Briceño |
| In office 1 July 2014 – 31 December 2014 |
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| Secretary-General | Irwin LaRocque |
| Preceded by | Ralph Gonsalves |
| Succeeded by | Perry Christie |
| Member of Parliament for St. John's City West |
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| Assumed office 9 March 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Donald Halstead |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office December 2012 – June 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Lester Bird |
| Succeeded by | Baldwin Spencer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gaston Alfonso Browne
9 February 1967 Villa, Antigua |
| Political party | Labour Party |
| Spouse |
Maria Bird
(m. 2013) |
| Education | City Banking College University of Manchester |
Gaston Alphonso Browne (born 9 February 1967) is a politician from Antigua and Barbuda. He has been the Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party since 2014. Before becoming a politician, he worked as a banker and businessman.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Antigua
Gaston Browne was born on 9 February 1967, in the Villa area of St. John's, Antigua. His childhood was very difficult. As a young boy, he lived in Point with his great-grandmother. She was elderly, partly blind, and poor. After she passed away, he continued to grow up in Point, which was a very poor area.
Studying Banking and Finance
After finishing high school, Browne went to City Banking College in the United Kingdom. He earned a degree in banking and finance. Later, he studied at the University of Manchester and received a master's degree in finance.
Career Before Politics
After finishing his studies, Gaston Browne got a job at the Swiss American Banking Group. This was a large banking group in Antigua and Barbuda. He worked his way up to become the Commercial Banking Manager.
Becoming a Political Leader
Entering Parliament
Gaston Browne started his political career in 1999. He was elected to parliament for the area of St. John's City West. In his first term, he was made the Minister of Planning, Trade, Industry, Commerce, and Public Service Affairs.
Leading the Labour Party
In November 2012, Browne challenged Lester Bird for the leadership of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. Browne won the election. In December 2012, he became the Leader of the Opposition. This meant he was the main leader of the parties not in power.
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda
First Term in Office
Gaston Browne led the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party to win the general election on 12 June 2014. His party won 14 out of 17 seats. This victory came after 10 years of being in opposition. Browne became Prime Minister on 13 June 2014. He also served as the Minister of Finance.
Winning More Elections
Browne's party won again in the election on 21 March 2018. He started his second term as Prime Minister on 22 March 2018. On 18 January 2023, he won his third term in office. This was a special achievement for Antigua and Barbuda.
In July 2024, MP Anthony Smith became an independent politician. He then joined the majority, which made Browne's leadership stronger. Smith was sworn in as the new Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy. In January 2025, Rawdon Turner won a special election. He was sworn in as Minister of Social and Urban Transformation. These changes further strengthened the government's majority.
Dealing with Natural Disasters
Hurricane Irma's Impact
On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma hit Barbuda very hard. Gaston Browne said that the powerful storm destroyed 95% of buildings and vehicles. Many people on the island lost their homes. Communication systems were also destroyed.
Helping Barbuda Recover
On 8 September 2017, Browne described Barbuda as "literally a rubble." There was no water or phone service. The government worked to move almost all 1,800 residents to Antigua for safety. Cargo planes from the US brought supplies to Barbuda. Browne also talked with the United States Agency for International Development about urgent needs. Rebuilding Barbuda was a huge challenge, needing over US$100 million.
Future of the Monarchy
Discussions on Republicanism
During a visit by members of the British Royal Family in 2022, Browne asked for support for reparations for slavery. He also announced that Antigua and Barbuda would become a republic. This means the country would have its own head of state, not the British monarch.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Browne said he would hold a vote within three years. This vote would decide if the country becomes a republic. He explained that this would be the "final step to complete that circle of independence." He also said that Antigua and Barbuda would remain part of the Commonwealth.
Family Life
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Gaston Browne is married to Maria Bird-Browne. She is the niece of Lester Bird, who was the second prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda. Gaston Browne had three children before this marriage. He and Maria have a son named Prince Gaston Browne and a daughter born in September 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Gaston Browne para niños
- Ronald Sanders
- Walton Alfonso Webson
- Antigua.news
