{"id":270569,"date":"2026-03-24T08:40:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=270569"},"modified":"2026-03-24T08:40:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T12:40:35","slug":"smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/","title":{"rendered":"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith has not yet formally applied to join the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), but is expected to do so soon.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Browne confirmed that Smith will contest the next general election on the ABLP ticket, cementing a political shift that has been widely anticipated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Smith still identifies as an independent MP, his alignment with the governing party has been evident since leaving the United Progressive Party (UPP) in July 2024. He has since served in Cabinet, participated in ABLP activities, and backed government positions in Parliament.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith has not yet formally applied to join the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), but is expected to do so soon. Browne confirmed that Smith will contest the next general election on the ABLP ticket, cementing a political shift that has been widely anticipated. Although Smith […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":262108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-270569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"yoast_head":"\nSmith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith has not yet formally applied to join the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), but is expected to do so soon. Browne confirmed that Smith will contest the next general election on the ABLP ticket, cementing a political shift that has been widely anticipated. Although Smith […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Antigua News Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-24T12:40:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-24T12:40:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1366\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\"},\"headline\":\"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-24T12:40:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-24T12:40:35+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/\"},\"wordCount\":108,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Featured\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/\",\"name\":\"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket - Antigua News Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-24T12:40:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-24T12:40:35+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg\",\"width\":2048,\"height\":1366,\"caption\":\"Anthony Smith and PM Browne\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"name\":\"Antigua News Room\",\"description\":\"News As It Happens\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Antigua Newsroom\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"width\":1260,\"height\":1260,\"caption\":\"Antigua Newsroom\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\",\"name\":\"Editor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"caption\":\"Editor\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket - Antigua News Room","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket","og_description":"Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith has not yet formally applied to join the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), but is expected to do so soon. Browne confirmed that Smith will contest the next general election on the ABLP ticket, cementing a political shift that has been widely anticipated. Although Smith […]","og_url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/","og_site_name":"Antigua News Room","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","article_published_time":"2026-03-24T12:40:14+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-24T12:40:35+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2048,"height":1366,"url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Editor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_site":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Editor","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/"},"author":{"name":"Editor","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5"},"headline":"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket","datePublished":"2026-03-24T12:40:14+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-24T12:40:35+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/"},"wordCount":108,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg","articleSection":["Featured"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/","name":"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket - Antigua News Room","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg","datePublished":"2026-03-24T12:40:14+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-24T12:40:35+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1619\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/601365864_1454550973345643_4557320499447870278_n.jpg","width":2048,"height":1366,"caption":"Anthony Smith and PM Browne"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/smith-expected-to-join-ablp-as-browne-confirms-election-run-on-party-ticket\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Smith Expected to Join ABLP as Browne Confirms Election Run on Party Ticket"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","name":"Antigua News Room","description":"News As It Happens","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization","name":"Antigua Newsroom","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","width":1260,"height":1260,"caption":"Antigua Newsroom"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5","name":"Editor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","caption":"Editor"},"url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=270569"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":270570,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/270569\/revisions\/270570"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/262108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=270569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=270569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=270569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}