UPP vs. ABLP: A Decade of Transformation vs. A Decade of Excuses

UPP vs. ABLP: A Decade of Transformation vs. A Decade of Excuses

By Hon. Richard Lewis, MP for St. John’s Rural West

As Antigua and Barbuda reflects on ten years of Gaston Browne’s Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) administration, it is clear that this government has failed to deliver meaningful, transformative progress. Unlike the ABLP’s empty rhetoric and broken promises, the United Progressive Party (UPP) demonstrated bold leadership and delivered a decade of undeniable achievements that uplifted the nation.

The comparison is stark: the UPP led with substance, while the ABLP flounders in excuses.

1. Tourism: UPP’s Legacy of Sustainable Growth

Under the UPP, room stock increased by 20%, thanks to the construction of premier hotels like Sandals Grande (Mediterranean Village), The Verandah, and Hermitage Bay. These projects positioned Antigua and Barbuda as a leader in Caribbean tourism and created jobs for thousands of citizens.

In contrast, the ABLP inherited a booming tourism sector but has squandered opportunities for expansion. Despite announcing over 30 new projects less than 1% have come to fruition. Under Gaston Browne’s administration, delays, inefficiencies, and missed partnerships have eroded Antigua and Barbuda’s competitive edge in tourism. The ABLP’s inability to maintain growth is a glaring indictment of its lack of vision.

2. Social Programs: UPP’s Commitment to Tangible Relief

The UPP’s social programs have left a lasting legacy by directly addressing the needs of the most vulnerable and improving the lives of countless citizens. Key initiatives included:

            •           Dollar Barrel Initiative: Over 17,000 households benefited from this program, which allowed families to import essential items like food, clothing, and toiletries at a nominal fee during the Christmas season.

            •           Free School Uniform Grants: By covering uniform costs for school children, the UPP offered much-needed support to families, underscoring its dedication to education and equity.

            •           School Meals Programme: The UPP prioritized “nutrition for learning” by providing free hot meals to students, improving their physical and mental well-being.

            •           People’s Benefit Programme: Vulnerable households received a monthly food subsidy through PetroCaribe, ensuring basic nutritional needs were met.

            •           Utility Credit for Seniors: Seniors received a $1,200 annual utility credit through the PetroCaribe initiative, providing critical relief for household expenses.

In stark contrast, under the ABLP, these impactful programs have been scaled back, ignored, or replaced by ineffective policies. The Gaston Browne administration has failed to introduce innovative social initiatives that rival the UPP’s comprehensive and meaningful approach to social welfare. While the UPP delivered tangible relief, the ABLP continues to make empty promises that do little to support the most disadvantaged citizens.

3. Education: UPP Empowered Future Generations

The UPP’s contributions to education were revolutionary:

            •           Repaired secondary schools and built the Five Islands Secondary School, which now houses UWI Five Islands.

            •           Created the National Training Agency (NTA) to certify skilled workers and enhance the workforce.

            •           Introduced the National Student Loan Fund, providing low-interest loans to make higher education accessible.

The ABLP, despite inheriting these achievements, has failed to prioritize education. Its policies lack the foresight and investment necessary to empower Antigua and Barbuda’s youth.

4. Infrastructure: UPP Delivered Modernization, ABLP Delivers Excuses

The UPP spearheaded critical infrastructure projects that continue to serve the nation today, including:

            •           V.C. Bird International Airport, a world-class gateway to Antigua and Barbuda.

            •           National Stadium and National Parliament Building, symbols of progress and national pride.

Meanwhile, the ABLP’s infrastructure projects have been marred by corruption scandals, delays, and poor execution as in the case of the ADOMS and Treasury Buildings.. Gaston Browne’s government prioritizes political posturing over delivering quality projects that benefit citizens.

5. Economic Empowerment: UPP Paved the Way for Growth

The UPP’s Construct Antigua and Barbuda Initiative (CABI) reduced the cost of homeownership, stimulated the construction sector, and created jobs. The program is still in use to day and this is a testament of its effectiveness.

The ABLP’s housing initiatives, though widely publicized, have been plagued by unfulfilled promises and substandard execution. Homeownership remains unaffordable for many Antiguans and Barbudans.,The ABLP talks about progress; the UPP delivered it.

6. Healthcare: UPP Brought Care to Communities

The UPP launched community night clinics, bringing healthcare directly to residents and improving access across the nation.

The ABLP, despite its lofty claims, has failed to match the UPP’s healthcare innovations, placing undue burdens on citizens, eroding trust in the healthcare system. The closure of the Cancer Center is a major indictment against the people.

7. Governance: UPP Led with Integrity, ABLP Mired in Scandal

The UPP demonstrated leadership rooted in transparency and accountability, implementing policies that benefited all citizens. Structural reforms, such as the GATE Program for youth skills development, fostered lasting economic growth and created opportunities for all.

In stark contrast, the ABLP’s governance has been marred by nepotism, corruption, and a lack of accountability. Scandals like the Fortuna Pix eBooks debacle and the Antigua Airways controversy epitomize the party’s mismanagement and questionable dealings.

A glaring example is the acquisition of a Friars Road property by the Prime Minister’s son, Gaston Andron Browne III, under suspicious circumstances. The government spent over $1 million of taxpayers’ money renovating the property, only to rent it afterwards. Calls for transparency under the Freedom of Information Act remain unanswered. Adding to the conflict of interest, the Prime Minister’s wife, MP Maria Browne, sits on the WIOC Board of Directors.

Gaston Browne’s administration has eroded public trust, undermining its promises of good governance and accountability. In comparison, the UPP’s leadership exemplified integrity and a commitment to building a better Antigua and Barbuda for all

A Tale of Two Parties: Results vs. Rhetoric

The UPP’s decade of governance was transformative, characterized by initiatives that tangibly improved the lives of citizens. From expanding access to education and healthcare to building the nation’s economic backbone through tourism and infrastructure, the UPP consistently prioritized people over politics.

Conversely, the ABLP under Gaston Browne has proven to be a party of empty promises and flashy rhetoric. Instead of leveraging the strong foundation laid by the UPP, the ABLP has squandered opportunities and fostered an environment of cronyism, inefficiency, and public mistrust. For every promise the ABLP has made, there is a trail of unfulfilled commitments and policies that have failed to address the real needs of Antiguans and Barbudans.

UPP: The Clear Choice for Progress

The contrast could not be clearer. The UPP’s track record demonstrated an unwavering commitment to inclusive growth, accountability, and long-term development. It reflected a deep understanding that true progress comes from empowering people—whether through social programs, education, healthcare, or sustainable economic development.

The ABLP, in contrast, has shown itself to be a party of stagnation and self-interest. While the UPP delivered solutions, the ABLP has delivered excuses. While the UPP fostered hope, the ABLP has sown disillusionment.

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