Simmonds, Kennedy Alphonse (1936– )

St Kitts' centre-right politician, prime minister 1980–95. He helped form the centre-right People's Action Movement (PAM) in 1965 and became its leader in 1976, challenging the dominant St Kitts Labour Party (SKLP). In 1980 he became prime minister over a PAM-led coalition with the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP). After defusing secessionist demands on Nevis Island by establishing a federation in 1982, he led the country through independence in 1983, and sought to promote tourism and diversification of agriculture. In 1995 he lost power to the SKLP, led by Denzil Douglas.

In 1979 Simmons was the first non-SKLP candidate to be elected to the national assembly from St Kitts since 1952. His government was re-elected in 1984, 1989 and 1993.

He was born in the capital, Basseterre, and studied medicine at the University of West Indies, in Jamaica, and in the USA, before later working as a doctor.