[2] The ruling NDP led by Prime Minister James Mitchell was opposed by the ULP headed by Vincent Beache; the ULP had been founded in 1994 by a merger of the Movement for National Unity (MNU) and the Saint Vincent Labour Party.

[3] During the campaign, the NDP advocated tax cuts and the promotion of tourism and agricultural development, while the ULP called for job creation, economic development and improved social services.

[4] When polling results giving the NDP eight seats and the ULP seven seats were announced, Beache declared that he could not accept the outcome and called for fresh elections, alleging voter intimidation, fraud, and bribery; this was promptly rebutted by the NDP.

On 17 June Mitchell was sworn in for his fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister; his new Cabinet took office the next day.

In December 1998 Beache resigned as leader of the ULP, and Ralph Gonsalves was elected in his place.