With critical elections looming for Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) candidate Randy Baltimore has ramped up his on-the-ground campaigning, using a recent stop in the St. Philip’s North constituency to urge loyal supporters to cast their ballots early and sharpen his criticism of the rival United Progressive Party (UPP).
Speaking to packed crowds of voters in Newfield and nearby surrounding communities, Baltimore framed the upcoming election as a defining fork in the road for the twin-island nation. On one side, he argued, sits the path of sustained progress and inclusive growth under the incumbent ABLP; on the other, he claimed, is a return to the economic hardship and instability that marked the UPP’s previous tenure in government.
“To lock in this progress, we cannot take turnout for granted – every single voter needs to head to the polls as early as possible on election day,” Baltimore told the gathered crowd. He went on to outline concrete steps voters can take to ensure a strong showing for the ABLP, reminding constituents to retrieve their official voter identification cards ahead of time and organize carpooling or other support to help neighbors with limited mobility reach their polling stations.
Baltimore devoted a large portion of his remarks to touting the sitting government’s track record across key sectors, calling out tangible gains in tourism – the nation’s largest economic driver – as well as expanded educational access and sweeping infrastructure upgrades across the country. “The ABLP has always stood for development, for progress, for national unity, and for building a brighter future for the next generation of Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.
Turning his attention to the opposition, Baltimore issued a stark warning against returning the UPP to power. Pointing to the party’s previous term in office, he asked assembled voters whether they were willing to roll back the gains the ABLP has delivered over recent years. “We cannot afford to go back to the UPP,” he emphasized.
Digging into policy differences, Baltimore zeroed in on a high-profile UPP campaign proposal: the elimination of import duties and taxes on incoming vehicles. He challenged the opposition to explain how the policy would be funded, arguing that the lost government revenue would almost certainly force the UPP to bring back the unpopular income tax that was eliminated during the ABLP’s tenure. “When they scrap all those duties and taxes, where will they get the money to keep basic government services running?” he asked.
Throughout the event, Baltimore repeatedly anchored his campaign to the leadership of incumbent Prime Minister Gaston Browne, arguing that the Browne-led administration has delivered consistent, stable growth across the economy and deserves a new mandate from voters to continue its work. Closing out his remarks, Baltimore extended his appeal beyond St. Philip’s North, urging voters across the entire nation to back the ABLP. He declared that the incumbent party is “stronger than ever” and fully prepared to lead Antigua and Barbuda into a new era of shared national development.