Anthony, Kenny (1951– )

St Lucian centre-left politician, prime minister 1997–2006. His government saw strong economic growth, based on development of the tourism industry and improvement of the infrastructure. He led the SLP to further victory in the 2001 general election, winning 14 of the 17 House of Assembly seats. But rising levels of violent crime and failure to spread the benefits of economic growth to the poor brought about a shock defeat at the hands of the United Workers Party (UWP), led by John Compton, in 2006.

He was appointed leader of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) in 1996 and quickly revived the SLP's flagging fortunes, leading it to a strong victory in May 1997, when it won all but one of the House of Assembly seats and ending a period of 15 years in opposition.

A graduate of the University of the West Indiaes and the University of Birmingham, he gained a PhD in constitutional law. In 1980–81, he served as education minister in an SLP government. As well as being prime minister from 1997, he also held the finance and broadcasting portfolios.