Bird, Lester B (1938– )

Antiguan politician, prime minister 1994–2004. He succeeded his father Vere Bird as prime minister and leader of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) when the latter retired from politics in 1993, and led the ALP to victory in 1994. He had served as a deputy prime minister in his father's governments, and in various ministerial posts, including economic development 1976–81 and foreign affairs 1981–94. As prime minister, he retained the foreign and social affairs portfolios.

Bird entered national politics in 1971 as chair of the ALP, and became opposition leader in the Senate 1976–81. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976.

Initially he trained as a barrister at Grays Inn in London, after studying in the USA at the University of Michigan, and he later pursued a private career as a lawyer and volunteer dentist. Although the second son of Vere Bird, he succeeded his father because his elder brother, Vere Bird, Jr, had been barred from holding public office in November 1990, after an inquiry into arms shipments via Antigua to Colombian drugs barons.