The Antigua Labour Party (ALP) has come under intense scrutiny for its handling of Social Security, with revelations of significant financial mismanagement and misleading public narratives. Data reveals that of the $550 million owed by the government to Social Security as of 2010, a staggering $464 million was accumulated under ALP administrations. Despite this, ALP propagandists have attempted to shift blame onto the United Progressive Party (UPP), which governed from 2004 to 2014. Contrary to these claims, the UPP never borrowed from Social Security during its tenure and paid $122.8 million in contributions entirely in cash—ten times the amount managed by the ALP over 28 years.
While the UPP faced minor delays in contributions, these occurred during the implementation of critical fiscal reforms, such as the Personal Income Tax (PIT) and Antigua & Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST), aimed at stabilizing government finances. In contrast, the ALP’s approach involved accumulating debt through loans, development bonds, and partial cash payments, leaving a legacy of financial instability.
Claims that the UPP caused a collapse in Social Security contributions are unfounded. Contributor numbers peaked at 40,818 in 2008 and only declined by 10% to 36,762 by 2012, with government employment remaining stable. This contradicts ALP assertions of artificial job creation to offset private sector losses.
The current ALP administration continues to mismanage Social Security debt, prioritizing asset transfers to reduce bond obligations over addressing a $220 million facility. This strategy has sacrificed interest income and left a significant unsecured debt burden.
The ALP’s financial mismanagement and attempts to rewrite history highlight a lack of accountability and transparency. The public deserves leadership that prioritizes the nation’s welfare over political maneuvering.