Sir George Herbert Walter, KGCN
National Hero and Former
Premier of Antigua and Barbuda
George Herbert Walter was a former Premier of Antigua and Barbada. He is a National Hero of Antigua and Barbuda.
Early life and education
Born on 8 September 1928, Sir George was the second premier of Antigua and Barbuda, the founder of the Antigua Workers' Union (AWU) and the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM) and a former general-secretary of the Antigua Trades & Labour Union (AT&LU).
Career
Walter won Premiership in the 1971 elections, defeating Vere Bird four years after the colony became a British dependency with domestic autonomy. He advocated full independence for Antigua and Barbuda and opposed a British proposal to make Antigua and Barbuda an island federation. He was defeated in the 1976 elections by Bird.
The PLM headed the government from 1971 to 1976. During his tenure as premier of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir George was the representative of All Saints, which was then one constituency.
In all, he had 10 years in government – five as premier and the other five as leader of the opposition.
The Social Security Act, the Labour Code that was copied in every Caribbean territory, the Representation of the People's Act and the founding of the Antigua & Barbuda Development Bank were all the work of his PLM government.
After the 1982 elections, he gave up politics and went back to his cattle farm.
Person life
Sir George was married to the late Lady Hyacinth Walter, a former teacher and principal of the St. John's Girls' School, who contested the All Saints seat in 1980 on behalf of her husband, narrowly losing to then ALP member of Parliament Hilroy Humphreys by nine votes.
Honours and awards
The former premier was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in the 2000-millennium honours. In 2006, the former Airport Road was renamed the Sir George H. Walter Highway, as a permanent memory to his life's work in the development of the nation.
In 2008 Sir George ascended to the Most Exalted Order of National Hero (NH) to become the country's fifth national hero.
Death
Sir George died on 4 March 2008, aged 79. He was survived by his children Sharon, Paul, Senator Gregory Walter, and Vaughn Walter along with other members of the Walter family.
|
| Post |
Chamber |
Party |
Date |
| MP for All Saints |
House of Representatives |
PLM |
1971 - 1980 |
|
| Post |
Date |
| Premier and Minister of External Affairs and Defence |
4 January 1974 - 1 February 1976 |
| Premier and Minister of Finance, External Affairs, and Defence |
11 February 1971 - 3 January 1974 |
|
|
