2 August 2012 Last updated at 05:18 ET

Antigua and Barbuda profile

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Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general

Prime minister: Baldwin Spencer

Baldwin Spencer's election victory ended the long-running Bird dynasty

Baldwin Spencer and his opposition United Progressive Party won a landslide victory in general elections in March 2004. He led the party to victory in 2009, though with a reduced majority.

The 2004 win ended the political dynasty of the Bird family, which had dominated Antiguan politics for more than half a century.

Mr Spencer promised to fight corruption and added that "crimes committed against the people" would not go unpunished.

A lifelong labour activist, Baldwin Spencer was born in the working-class community of Green Bay.

The premiership of Lester Bird, Mr Spencer's predecessor, had been dogged by allegations of bribery and of missing funds from Antigua's health care system. Mr Bird denied the charges.