Gerald Watt
Sir Gerald Owen Anderson Watt KCN KC was an Antiguan politician and cabinet minister. Watt represented St. John's Rural East in parliament from 1971 until 1976 and was a onetime chairman of the Antigua & Barbuda Electoral Commission. Watt also served as attorney general during his time as Minister of National Security, Labour, and Legal Affairs. Watt was the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 25 June 2014 until 18 November 2024.
Political career
2023 speaker election
Following the nomination of three candidates, the Speaker of the House of Representatives was chosen in a secret ballot in 2023 for the first time in the history of the nation. Nominations from the floor included former prime minister Baldwin Spencer, lawyer Sherrie-Ann Bradshaw, and Watt. Bradshaw received a nomination from the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Jamale Pringle for Spencer, Watt from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and independent candidate Asot Michael for Bradshaw.2023 allegations of partisanship
The United Progressive Party considered a vote of no confidence against Watt. Jamale Pringle, the leader of the UPP, first declared that he would bring a motion forward in July 2023. Allegations of political prejudice and alleged maltreatment of opposition MPs, particularly Asot Michael of St. Peter, who was suspended for three sittings on 18 May 2023, were the main causes of the allegations.In September 2024, Watt announced his intention to retire at the end of the parliamentary session.