Bird

ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC:

Former Prime Minister Lester Bird will not face any contenders for the leadership of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) at that opposition party's upcoming convention, officials said.

On Friday, when the ALP released a list of contenders for the executive, Bird, who has led the party for the past 15 years, was the only candidate listed for the top spot.

In recent weeks, Bird had been grappling with a fragmented party with some ALP supporters calling for him to step down as leader, but he remained adamant that he was the best person to lead the party back into government.

to face a challenge

According to the list released by the party, Gaston Browne, current chairman, will face a challenge from Molwyn Joseph for that position, while Senator Gail Christian will be returned unopposed as the first vice-chairman.

A total of 33 members will vie for 23 available positions at today's convention.

The convention was originally scheduled for September 2, but waspostponed amid internal wrangling among members, including a threat from its sister union, the Antigua Trades and Labour Union, that it would withdraw its support of the party.

The ALP recently lost two senior members, Senator Elmore 'Tamo' Charles and third vice-chairman Terry Ephraim, who both joined the ranks of the governing United Progressive Party.