Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The government has three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The British monarch serves as the ceremonial Head of State, represented locally by the Governor-General.

The Legislative Branch is bicameral, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate has 17 members appointed by the Governor General. The House of Representatives has 17 members elected by popular vote.

Executive Branch led by the Prime Minister and the majority party in the House and is responsible for state affairs with the Cabinet.

Judicial Branch is the Legal system based on English common law.

Governor-General

The Governor-General acts as the representative of the monarch in Antigua and Barbuda, performing ceremonial duties and ensuring the smooth functioning of the government. The Governor General is Sir Rodney Williams GCMG KGN KS MBBS PhD (h.c.).

Prime Minister

The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda is the head of government of Antigua and Barbuda. The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda is appointed by the Governor-General. The prime minister chairs the Cabinet, selects its ministers, and exercises much of the executive powers afforded to the office under the Constitution. The prime minister holds office by virtue of their ability to command the confidence of the House of Representatives, of which they must be an elected member of.

The power of the prime minister has fluctuated throughout the position’s existence. While the Governor-General has been described as the de facto head of state, in whom all executive power is vested in, the prime minister has always been the head of government and has exercised his powers similar in fashion to an executive president in most liberal democracies. The prime minister, along with the Cabinet, is responsible for proposing new legislation and setting an agenda, usually codified by acts of parliament or statutory instruments.

The history of such an office began in 1872 with the colonial president, who oversaw the island in subordination to the island’s governor. This office was later superseded by the positions of administrator, chief minister, and premier, each of which gaining more executive power as the islands moved toward independence. Four men have served as prime minister, the first being Vere Bird taking office on 1 November 1981. The longest serving prime minister was also Vere Bird, who served for 12 years, and the shortest serving was his son Lester, who served for ten years. Gaston Brown succeeded Baldwin Spencer as prime minister on 13 June 2014, following the 2014 general election.

The Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda regulates that the prime minister must be a member of the House of Representatives who is the leader in the House of the political party that has the support of the majority of members of the House of Representatives. If there is no party that has an undisputed leader, or no party that maintains the support of the majority of the House of Representatives,the Governor-General may appoint a member that is most likely to maintain the support of the majority of the members, and who is willing to hold the role of prime minister.

If a prime minister must be appointed while Parliament is dissolved, then, a person who was a member of the House of Representatives immediately before the dissolution may be appointed as prime minister.

Acting prime minister

The Governor-General may authorize another member of the Cabinet to perform those functions (other than the functions conferred by section 74(2) of the constitution) when the Prime Minister is not present in Antigua and Barbuda or is unable to do so due to illness or because of the restrictions of section 73(4) of this Constitution. That member may perform those functions until the Governor-General revokes his authority.

Responsibilities

The prime minister advises the Governor-General on appointments to the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda. Only the Prime Minister or, in his absence, the Minister the Prime Minister appoints in that regard, may call the Cabinet to order.Under section 73 of the constitution, the Governor-General must dismiss the Prime Minister or dissolve parliament in the event of a successful vote of no confidence.

Leader of the Opposition

The leader of the opposition, officially the leader of His Majesty’s Opposition, is the leader of the largest political party in the House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda that is not in government. The Leader of the Opposition is appointed by the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda.

Appointment and disqualification

The Governor-General must select the opposition leader, except when there aren’t any House members who are against the government. When the need for an opposition leader arises, the Governor-General must appoint the member of the House who, in their opinion, is most likely to be supported by the majority of House members who oppose the government; or, if no member of the House appears to them to be so supported, the member of the House who, in their opinion, is most likely to be supported by the largest single group of House members who oppose the government provided that the Governor-General may, acting in his discretion, appoint any one of the two or more members of the House who oppose the government as opposition leader. In exercising this discretion, the Governor-General shall be guided by each member’s seniority based on the number of years of service as a member of the House and by the votes cast in favor of each at the most recent election of members.

If it is essential to select an opposition leader between the time that Parliament is dissolved and the day that the members of the House are subsequently elected, the appointment may be made as if Parliament was never dissolved. The Governor-General must remove the opposition leader from office if it appears that they can no longer gather the support of the largest group of members of the House who are against the Government or the majority of members of the House who are against the Government.

Role

The opposition leader has the following constitutionally mandated responsibilities:

The Governor-General, acting on the counsel of the opposition leader, must appoint four senators.
The Governor-General, acting in line with the Prime Minister’s advice and following consultation with the opposition leader, must select the Chairman of the Constituencies Boundaries Commission.
The Governor-General, in agreement with the Prime Minister and the opposition leader, appoints no more than four additional members of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
The Prime Minister must consult the opposition leader before giving the Governor-General any advice about the Public Service Commission.
The Prime Minister must first consult with the opposition leader before offering any advice to the Governor-General about the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission, or the Public Service Board of Appeal.

Ministers

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, led by Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne, is composed of senior ministers appointed to head specific government departments, known as ministries or portfolios. Each minister is responsible for developing policy, managing their ministry’s budget, and implementing the government’s agenda within their specific area of national life. The following list provides further detail on the key responsibilities of each minister’s portfolio:

-Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne – Ministry of Finance, Corporate Governance and Public Private Partnerships.As Minister of Finance, his role extends beyond leading the government. He is directly responsible for the nation’s economic policy, including fiscal management, the national budget, revenue collection (through the Inland Revenue and Customs departments), and financial regulation. The “Corporate Governance” and “Public Private Partnerships” aspects highlight a focus on ensuring transparency in government-owned corporations and leveraging private investment for public infrastructure projects.

-Hon. Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin – Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour.This is a wide-ranging and critical ministry. As Attorney General, he is the government’s principal legal advisor and is responsible for all legal affairs, including drafting legislation and representing the state in court. The portfolio also combines national security overseeing the police and immigration services with labour, which involves managing labour relations, occupational safety, and employment standards.

-Hon. Maria Browne – Ministry of Housing and Works.This ministry is focused on physical infrastructure and social housing. Its “Works” component involves the construction and maintenance of public buildings, roads, and other government infrastructure. The “Housing” element is responsible for developing and implementing the government’s housing policy, including programs for affordable housing and land distribution.

-Hon. Sir Molwyn Joseph – Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs.This portfolio combines public health with environmental protection. It manages the nation’s hospitals, clinics, and public health initiatives. Simultaneously, it is responsible for environmental policy, conservation, and climate change resilience. The unique addition of “Civil Service Affairs” gives this ministry oversight of the administration and welfare of the government’s workforce.

-Hon. Daryll Matthew – Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries.This ministry is responsible for the entire education system, from early childhood to tertiary level, including curriculum development and teacher management. It also nurtures national culture and talent through its oversight of sports development and the creative arts, including music, film, and festivals.

-Hon. Paul “Chet” Greene – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs.This minister manages the country’s international relationships, diplomacy, and foreign policy. The “Trade” segment involves negotiating international trade agreements and promoting exports. Crucially, the “Barbuda Affairs” component signifies the government’s direct responsibility for issues pertaining to the island of Barbuda, aiming to coordinate policies between the two islands.

-Hon. Charles Fernandez – Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment.This is a key economic ministry. It is responsible for promoting and developing the vital tourism sector. Its remit also includes managing the country’s airports (Civil Aviation), public transportation systems, and it plays a lead role in attracting both foreign and domestic investment.

-Hon. Melford Nicholas – Ministry of Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy.This ministry is focused on the country’s modern and essential infrastructure. It manages the government’s public communications. It also has a policy role in regulating and developing the telecommunications sector and the utilities (water, electricity) that are critical for economic and social life, with a specific focus on energy policy.

-Hon. Anthony Smith Jr. – Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy This ministry is tasked with managing the nation’s natural resources for food security and economic growth. It supports the agricultural and fishing industries. The “Lands” component involves the management of government-owned land. The “Blue Economy” focus involves the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.

-Hon. Rawdon Turner – Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation. This ministry has a strong social welfare and community development focus. It is likely involved in programs for poverty alleviation, assisting vulnerable groups, and community development projects. “Urban Transformation” suggests a role in urban planning, renewal, and improving living conditions in towns and urban areas.