Antigua's multiparty democracy has been dominated for the past 30 years by the Bird family. Vere Bird Sr., prime minister and ALP leader, indicated his intention of retiring in 1993. His two sons, Vere Jr. and Lester, were arguing over the succession, but Vere Jr. was banned from office after being accused of involvement in gun-running. Lester Bird, therefore, took over on his father's retirement in December 1993. He went on to win the general elections in March the following year.
