1971 Antiguan general election

General elections were held in Antigua and Barbuda on 11 February 1971. They were won by the Progressive Labour Movement. PLM leader George Walter was elected Premier of Antigua, defeating the incumbent Premier Vere Bird of the Antigua Labour Party. The PLM was founded in 1967 after a split in the leadership of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union; this was its first election, as well as its first and only electoral victory.

1971 Antiguan general election

11 February 1971
All 17 seats in the House of Representatives 9 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	55.92%
First party Second party   Leader George Walter Vere Bird Party PLM ALP Seats won 13 4 Seat change New 6 Popular vote 9,761 6,409 Percentage 57.72% 37.90% Swing New 47.12pp
Results by constituency
Premier before election Vere Bird ALP Subsequent Premier George Walter PLM

The 1971 election marked the first change of government in the history of Antigua and Barbuda. It was the first election held in the territory since its creation as a West Indies Associated State in 1967 and the end of its period under British colonial rule. Voter turnout was 56.4%.

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Progressive Labour Movement	9,761	57.72	13	New
	Antigua Labour Party	6,409	37.90	4	–6
	Antigua People's Party	595	3.52	0	New
	Independents	147	0.87	0	0
Total		16,912	100.00	17	+7
Valid votes		16,912	97.71
Invalid/blank votes		397	2.29
Total votes		17,309	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		30,952	55.92
Source: Caribbean Elections