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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This writer dont live in Antigua nor Barbuda. The UPP that ghost town Antigua and Barbuda? The writer claimed the UPP had free lunches. The writer said UPP is responsible for Sandals Grand but still say the reason they gave Sandals ABST instead of turning it over to Central Government is because Lester Bird negotiated the construction of Sandals new building. Both cant be true.
Great, great article Richard Lewis although I would say this should be coming from the political leader Pringle. Gisele not there to write for him since being in Africa should not prevent that. The UPP is doomed without a competent leader.
Nice AI article. #UPPGPT
Really hit’s the spot like morning coffee.
Let’s look at each of the 7 sections in turn…
1. Tourism: UPP’s Legacy of Sustainable Growth
According to #UPPGPT 1% of announced projects were delivered.
1% of 30 is 0.3. That’s 1/3. That’s less than one.
Less than 1 project out was delivered. Got it.
Royalton
Royalton Chic
PLH
Revival of Jolly Harbour
Renovations and expansions of existing properties like Hammock Cove at Verandah.
These are all equal to 1/3 of a project according to #UPPGPT
The room stock has gone well beyond a 20% expansion under the current government and Barbuda enjoys full employment as a result of their economic boom. Now with the new international airport the sky is the limit.
Cargo port redevelopment and expansion
Cruise port 5th pier and record arrivals
The new conference center constructed for SIDS
These don’t exist according to #UPPGPT
Got it!
Three cheers for the Stronger Than Ever ✊🏾 party
HIP, HIP … 🟨🟦🟨🟦🟨🟦
2. Social Programs: UPP’s Commitment to Tangible Relief
No old social programmes have been canceled.
No one was kicked off any social programme. If that was the case we would hear it on the radio. That is simply not a thing in reality.
Yet the question must be asked: is the UPP proud of keeping people at the level where increasing social support is required? In a growing economy such as we have today with banks reporting increasing personal savings, there will be progressively less demand on social programmes. That would be the goal of any serious government.
School Meals has been extended to more schools and to Barbuda. That is political maturiy. Expand on what works while introducing new measures.
The HAPPI programme which provides free homes to the most vulnerable is one of many exceptional new initiatives. Even so, the goal must be to lift people out of vulnerability over time, not boast about having 100 social programmes like the UPP.
When we look at the massive number of scholarships and establishment of UWI 5th to upskill our people and produce more capable entrepreneurs, that’s the goal – less vulnerability. More small business funding under the EDP – less vulnerability.
The blanket policy of granting every applicant a duty free once every X years – at 100% until around COVID – has also empowered many to be more mobile, productive, competitive and frankly happy.
But let’s go with #UPPGPT’s account!
Three cheers for the Stronger Than Ever ✊🏾 party
HIP, HIP … 🟨🟦🟨🟦🟨🟦
3. Education: UPP Empowered Future Generations
#UPPGPT must not have been merely burning that Harold Lovell prime. He/she was freebasing like Richard Prior on this one.
The ABLP government has offered multiples of the number of scholarships available under UPP. Scholarships. Not “Student Loan” funds. In fact they have gone too far at times, prioritising more inclusion in the programme resulting in a few periods of payment delays.
The student loan fund remains and the funding base was expanded to serve more students/parents who pursued that option.
If UPP established a certification agency in the NTA, the ABLP has massively expanded access to the technical/vocational training. The former ABICE now Harrison Centre is a powerhouse which will help address the current labour shortage caused by brisk development and booming construction.
The construction and expansion of schools under this government includes the Novelle Williams Secondary and the Administration and Science block at St Mary’s Secondary School which allow collectively for over 650 more students to be accommodated last I checked.
The UPP was against the UWI 5th landed campus at five islands. Gisele Isaac is on record on this. Now look at the powerful impact that is having. The UPP should hang it’s head in shame for allowing that woman to tarnish its reputation on educational support in such manner.
Next year we can look forward to the US80 million expansion of UWI and an economic boom in what I expect will become the Five Islands University City. We can also look forward to the new Five Island Primary which will not only be a better facility but a university attached school which will benefit from all the latest pedagogy and tech and become a model which uplifts the entire school system.
But let’s ignore all the clear education progress before our eyes and just go with #UPPGPT’s account!
Three cheers for the Stronger Than Ever ✊🏾 party
HIP, HIP … 🟨🟦🟨🟦🟨🟦
4. Infrastructure: UPP Delivered Modernization, ABLP Delivers Excuses
#UPPGPT should give credit where it is due. The current government inherited an unfinished new airport and completed it to world class standards. As a well trained AI #UPPGPT knows that an airport is much more than a cement shell. Also the administration and implementation of systems and conveniences which enhance passenger comfort and attract the airlines is also critically important. I would say the new VC Bird built out and managed has served us well.
Barbuda International which the UPP opposed opens up new pathways to progress and inclusive growth.
Congratulations to UPP on the National Stadium and National Parliament Building. It is appropriate and commendable that the government has attracted major events to use the former and passed empowering development focused legislation in the latter. Its not the buildings but how they are utilized.
Last I checked the ADOMS and Treasury Buildings are complete and fully functional as beautiful structures. Jamale Pringle who is supposedly the UPP leader has not made any complaint about these so I am not quite sure what #UPPGPT is on about.
Even the failed UPP Car Park on Independence Avenue will be completed soon.
As I previously mentioned, infrastructure has been upgraded in leaps and bounds, from the cruise facilities to the cargo facilities to the new Barbuda International Airport and Conference Center at AUA.
I look forward to the 100 miles of road works announced in the Throne Speech and the complete overhaul of multiple government buildings to ensure the workers can do their thing in total comfort.
Even so let’s go with #UPPGPT’s story that no infrastructural development is taking place!
Three cheers for the Stronger Than Ever ✊🏾 party
HIP, HIP … 🟨🟦🟨🟦🟨🟦
look at that poor CLOWN, SELFISH, ARROGANT, LOW SELF-ESTEEM, UNWANTED, UNLOVED, NOT NEEDED BY UPP!
Suffering from Battered Woman Syndrome…….he gonna wish he had followed through with those talks about Ämbassador to Jamaica” position.
5. Economic Empowerment: UPP Paved the Way for Growth
#UPPGPT… C’mon now!
The “UPP’s Construct Antigua and Barbuda Initiative (CABI) reduced the cost of homeownership” … for middle to upper class individuals. It did not provide a bridge to truly affordable housing for nurses, clerks in the ministries and others.
To try to downplay the delivery of over 1200 affordable homes by National Housing and hundreds more by CHAPA only hurts your own credibility. The recipients were individuals obviously were unable to use the CABI. The CABI had and has its place. The ABLP government has transformed social housing. What’s wrong with that #UPPGPT?
Also, if we are honest, the UPP’s equivalents to National Housing’s social housing developments were a complete disaster. Those who utilized CABI under UPP dodged a bullet from the same UPP. Wat a ting!
I look forward to the next series of developments from National Housing.
Many of us have friends who tell us how they were able, either solo or with their partner/husband, to take advantage of the National Housing system and achieve the dream with an affordable mortgage payment. Credit where credit is due.
Oh wait! We are all blind or perhaps don’t live on island and don’t know whats really happening, so let’s go with #UPPGPT’s story!
Three cheers for the Stronger Than Ever ✊🏾 party
HIP, HIP … 🟨🟦🟨🟦🟨🟦
6. Healthcare: UPP Brought Care to Communities
“The ABLP, despite its lofty claims, has failed to match the UPP’s healthcare innovations”
#UPPGPT last I checked at least 2 new polyclinics have been constructed.
Clinics across the island are being upgraded and I believe the Cobs Cross clinic, after some delay, will be opened soon.
We have had kidney transplants, a new Renal Center established, 11 more dialysis machines to add to the already capable number, a Cardiac Center in the process of being established.
No innovation? No progress? #UPPGPT is glitching a bit today. But your AI output is not all bad.
The closure of the Cancer Center due to issues with the investor in that venture is a real concern. This has taken a while to resolve yet will be resolved. In the mean time all practical assistance has been offered to ensure treatment is secured at alternative high quality facilities abroad.
The overall operations of SLBMSJMC (what a ridiculous long name!) do in fact need to be overhauled with a view to shortening the wait times in Casualty and get everything to a point where the collective patient opinions of the care they receive increases. Senator Michael Joseph can I hope bring some fresh perspectives and approaches to this.
Finally #UPPGPT, I’ll give you some low hanging fruit that you somehow missed. The delivery of National Health Insurance is behind schedule based on the dates originally stated by Sir. Molwyn. If you’re going to criticize, focus on areas that make sense! Don’t just claim there has been zero progress or innovation! Why are you so inaccurate and unreasonable today? Are you suffering from high usage limits? Have you defaulted to some low power setting?
Anyways…
Three cheers for the Stronger Than Ever ✊🏾 party
HIP, HIP … 🟨🟦🟨🟦🟨🟦
7. Governance: UPP Led with Integrity, ABLP Mired in Scandal
“nepotism, corruption, and a lack of accountability…” Really #UPPGPT?
I noticed that you failed to mention that the Government is renting the “Friars Road” property for $1, which is commonly done when the renter has invested in renovations. A similar thing took place with the ECCA building on Nugent Avenue.
You seem to have some gaps in your AI trained memory. So here’s the UPP corruption and lack of accountability record:
Dead on arrival Wadadli Power Plant
Independence Avenue “Can’t Park” (Failed Car Park)
Airport Runway squandermania
Billion dollars of roads (value can’t be found up till today; the roads around the Stadium were worth several hundred million according to UPP!)
Fencing Scandal
John Ashe Scandal
Romantic Rhythms
Crashing ABI Bank through wanton government borrowing, overdrafts and lack of oversight (but for Gaston Browne’s interventions depositors would have lost their money)
Economic failure which forced bowing down to the IMF
In total billions in scandals, squandermania and frivolous or extortionate interest rate borrowings
#UPPGPT, you couldn’t have chosen a worse point to wrap up on. This is the UPP transparency and good governance you speak of?
I’d list a dozen more UPP fails but the Budget Presentation is starting.
Everyone have a blessed day!
And remember:
Three cheers for the Stronger Than Ever ✊🏾 party
HIP, HIP … 🟨🟦🟨🟦🟨🟦
There was time in this country ” where Dog was better than you if he had a bone” Sir Short Shirt. That was a reflection of the period 1971-1976. I do believe another chance should have been given but wasn’t meant to be…28 years after there was a transformation…king sugar was replaced by tourism and bit of manufacturing…1976-2004.
Then the people took a hiatus….wanted new growth and opportunities so the March every Thursday until they achieved it…a new period of excitement 2004- 2014…this was a period of taxes even after the claim that no new taxes were needed….jelly beans city…social programs …massive car park to relieve the city….100 investors waiting…the Sun was Shining…then comes the IMF….IMPOSSIBLE MISSION FORCE…
A Clear Choice…2014-present the people was now able to make a comparison of the periods 1971-1976….1976-2004….2004-2014…..and spoken ushering the young bold leader.
So what’s the comparison again…PLM vs ALP or UNDP/UPP vs ALP or UPP vs ABLP.
YOU TELL ME WHAT’S THE CLEAR CHOICE????
The WICKED, HOT, BURNING, SCALDING “SUNSHINE GOVERNMENT” headed by a “TISSUE PAPER PM” and King Lyadd Lovell Limpy Joe IMF Pimp ABST HOTEL RIPOFF ABIB COLLAPSER BANKING-SECTOR COLLAPSER ANTI-UWI FIVE ISLANDS CAMPUS BAICO COLLAPSER ETC ROMANTIC RHYTHMS WADADLI POWER CAN’T
You quoted King Short Shirt, he wanted too much, he was never satisfied. If you don’t believe ask his son Tony. Shorty was a greedy you know what, hence he became a Labourite/Gastonite
All y’all need to look at is the most notorious murder rate and violent crime rate in the last 12 yes or so, the worst in Antigua’s history,and the difference in clear.
The worst immigration policies that allowed so many to just come and work and then disappeared. A 1000 or so was even brought in from Africa by this very Government, only to disappear in thin air.
And from the last time I’ve checked, St John’s (The City) is stinker and more crowded than it’s ever been in Antigua’s history, with more homeless people and tray dogs than what John can read about.
Oh yeah..and not to mention all the missing persons that are unaccounted for in the last 10yrs or so, and the unsolved murders.
Not to mention all the drugs that have been pouring into this tiny island, but all now this inept AG can’t lockup one person of significance.. huuumm!
And right now as we speak, we still can’t take a proper shower on a daily basis or get drinking water from the pipes.
I don’t like comparisons, but this government love to think they are the best for this country, but folks the results are not showing it.
The reality Antigua has become a crime zone, and a drug infested island under this current Government.
We even have a Government who teargas it’s very own people, just because they standup for their rights.
Yep..thats the current state of Antigua.. thankfully Barbuda is not going down that route.
ISLANMAN26, Don’t be too certain Barbuda will not go down that same road, that’s the plan of this administration, they will always have money to buy their way to power, some people would say thief, but not me
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