Spencer became only the second Prime Minister from outside the Bird family or the Labour Party.

The Jamaica Observer noted that "Bird's government had been badly damaged by scandals that in recent years have centred on allegations of bribery, misuse of funds in the national health insurance plan, and a 13-year-old girl's charges that he and his brother used her for sex and to procure cocaine.

An observer team from the Caribbean Community praised the peaceful vote and said the results "clearly reflect the will of the people".

Previous elections in Antigua and Barbuda had been followed by allegations of electoral irregularities favouring the government.

A by-election was held on 20 April, which saw Trevor Walker of the BPM elected, with 408 votes against 394 for the BPMC candidate, Arthur Nibbs.