Antigua's new leader is sworn in

Mr Bird denied scandals had decided the election against him

Opposition leader Baldwin Spencer has been sworn in as prime minister of Antigua, ending a political dynasty that lasted 50 years.

He defeated prime minister Lester Bird, whose family dominated Antiguan politics since the 1950s.

Mr Spencer, who promised to tackle corruption endemic in the eastern Caribbean nation, said his government would get to work immediately.

"There is no honeymoon period in this business," he added.

Corruption claims

Mr Spencer, 55, had told the BBC's Caribbean Service that despite a series of scandals, successive Antigua Labour Party governments had done nothing to prevent corruption.

The new prime minister repeated his pledge to stamp out corruption early on Wednesday, after Mr Bird conceded that preliminary results showed the opposition United Progressive Party had "won overwhelmingly".

"Yesterday, the soldiers of the people's crusade delivered the only judgment fit for the Antigua Labor Party's crimes against the people of Antigua and Barbuda," he said.

Elections were not contested on issues but on the basis of a time for change Lester Bird Former Prime Minister

"Crimes committed against the people must be punished. We will let the chips fall the way they may."

The outcome became clear after the opposition won three out of the first four seats in the lower house, known as the House of Representatives.

Long running reign

Mr Bird denied his defeat was linked to allegations of corruption against him.

In an earlier interview with the BBC's Caribbean Service, Mr Bird said that his party had laid down strict anti-corruption guidelines, following a 2002 inquiry into the national medical insurance scheme that led to fraud charges against seven officials.

Mr Bird said the people had just wanted a change.

"Elections were not contested on issues but on the basis of a time for change," he said.

The governing ALP had been seeking a seventh term in office.

Politics in the twin-island nation have been dominated by the Bird family for more than half a century - the family has held the post of prime minister since independence from Britain in 1981.

Mr Bird has been prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda since 1994, when he took over from his father Vere.