Bipartisan Tribute Marks 50 Years of Parliamentary Service by Sir Robin Yearwood

The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday witnessed an historic and deeply moving bipartisan tribute celebrating the 50th anniversary of the election of Sir Robin Yearwood to public office, marking five decades of uninterrupted parliamentary service.

The special sitting of the House of Representatives was led by Governor General, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams anda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, both of whom delivered glowing tributes honoring Sir Robin’s extraordinary legacy of service, leadership, and devotion to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

In his address, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams reflected on the rarity and significance of fifty consecutive years of parliamentary service, describing it as a powerful measure of public trust renewed across generations. Drawing from his own experience as a former Member of Parliament, Sir Rodney highlighted the discipline, resilience, and daily commitment required to sustain such a record of service.

The Governor General also recalled Sir Robin’s longstanding presence in the Parliament during critical periods of national growth, emphasizing the importance of institutional memory and accumulated wisdom in strengthening democratic governance. He paid tribute to Sir Robin’s deeply personal style of representation and the enduring relationships forged through decades of public life.

In his tribute, Prime Minister Browne described Sir Robin Yearwood as a towering figure in the nation’s political history, whose fifty years of unbroken parliamentary service stand among the most enduring records in the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth. The Prime Minister emphasized that such longevity is not merely a function of time, but a reflection of sustained trust, integrity, and unwavering commitment to duty, renewed by the electorate over eleven consecutive electoral victories since 1976.

The Prime Minister highlighted Sir Robin’s role in guiding the nation through transformative eras, from pre-Independence governance to Antigua and Barbuda’s emergence as a confident developing state following Independence on November 1, 1981. He noted Sir Robin’s calm leadership in times of crisis, sound judgment in moments of national decision, and a leadership style rooted in substance rather than spectacle.

Sir Robin’s deep connection to his constituents in St. Philip’s was also underscored, with particular recognition of his accessibility and personal engagement. For decades, his home in Willikies served as an open and informal constituency office, symbolizing his lifelong closeness to the people he represented as counselor, advocate, neighbor, and friend.

Prime Minister Browne further acknowledged Sir Robin’s wide-ranging ministerial service, which included portfolios such as agriculture, aviation, public utilities, and finance, as well as his roles as Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chairman of several statutory bodies. He affirmed that Antigua and Barbuda is stronger because of Sir Robin’s service and that generations have benefited from his steadfast contribution to national development and democratic governance.

Members of Parliament from both sides of the aisle joined in offering tributes, reflecting a rare moment of unity and bipartisan respect in recognition of Sir Robin’s contributions to the nation.

Following the tributes, Sir Robin Yearwood announced his retirement, bringing to a close a remarkable chapter in the nation’s political history. The Prime Minister extended heartfelt thanks to Sir Robin’s family for their sacrifices over the past fifty years, noting that his retirement does not diminish his legacy, but rather crowns it.

As the nation marks this historic milestone, Antigua and Barbuda honours not only the length of Sir Robin Yearwood’s service, but the character, humility, and devotion that defined it. His legacy is etched not only in parliamentary records, but in strengthened communities, shaped policies, and a democracy enriched by five decades of faithful service. 

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