Antigua & Barbuda: Campaigns underway as both Spencer and Browne promise on jobs, economy

Incumbent Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda Baldwin Spencer (l) and Opposition leader Gaston Browne (r). PHOTO/File

Campaigns are underway in Antigua & Barbuda, with the two main parties promising to reduce taxes, create jobs and promote foreign investment and grow the economy.

The main opposition Antigua Labor Party (ALP) on Monday launched its manifesto for the June 12 general elections, “The People’s Rescue Plan – A Strategic Vision to Rebuild and Empower.”

The ALP has held consultations with various stakeholders “and the initiatives outlined in this manifesto are as a result of those consultations,” party leader Gaston Browne said. “So this manifesto was actually created with you in mind. It is a manifesto for you the people,” he said. “This is the document that we will follow in order to transform this country into an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean.”

The general elections will mark the first time the ALP contests a general election without a member of the Lester Bird political dynasty as its standard-bearer.

Incumbent Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and his United Progressive Party (UPP) are seeking a third consecutive term in office. Spencer and the UPP have promised no new or increased taxes during the next 5 years. In addition, the incumbents are also offering a tax cut of up to 20 percent for low- and middle-income earners.

Prime Minister Spencer insists that he and the UPP have fulfilled most of the promises they made during the 2009 campaign, and promise that they would seek to regenerate the Free Trade Zone to promote exports, job creation foreign investment.

Spencer and the UPP won a two seat majority in the 17-member parliament in the 2009 general election.