ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (December 23, 2022)—“The time of redemption is now.” That is the message from the United Progressive Party (UPP) leader Harold Lovell on the heels of this week’s election date announcement.
In a 20-minute video posted on social media, Lovell laid out a condemnatory assessment of the incumbent Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) led by Gaston Browne, giving the administration a failing grade in various aspects of their performance. Such areas include high fuel prices, poor water and electricity supplies, incomplete or poorly constructed roads, late Social Security payments, the handling of COVID-19 and mandatory vaccinations, and, as he described, the “brutal hike” in food prices. “
Antiguans and Barbudans will vote on Wednesday 18 January 2023, and Lovell hopes that he and his slate of candidates, dubbed the “Redeem Team,” would retake the reins of government after failing to do so for the last two consecutive elections
As the main opposition party steps up efforts ahead of the upcoming elections, Lovell asserts the UPP is not only ready to face the electorate, but it will run a campaign based on issues and not petty personal politics.
“This election is about the issues,” Lovell told Dadli Media Pop Up (DM). “It’s not going to be about who has the biggest billboards… It’s going to be about the welfare of the people of Antigua and Barbuda and whether they think over the past five years they’ve been fairly treated by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.”
Lovell remained confident that supporters are energized and motivated to show up at the polls. He said, through polling and canvassing, he believes his party will have enough votes to put them back in government. He disclosed that statistics in hand include data collected by Jamaica pollster Don Anderson.
“(Anderson) polled 10 constituencies, and we were leading in seven, and we have since had some internal polls done on some other constituencies, and there’s definitely a swing away from the Antigua Labour Party towards the United Progressive Party,” Lovell said.
The party leader said their biggest advantage rests with policies that he believes resonate with the public. Although his recorded message did not detail the party’s proposed policies, he referenced them briefly, including a living wage, a maintenance of minors’ programme, alternative sentencing in the justice system, a fashion industry founded on sea island cotton and opportunities for medical marijuana.
