Browne Dismisses UPP Campaign Promises as ‘Giveaway Tactics’
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has criticized the United Progressive Party (UPP) for what he described as unrealistic and recycled campaign promises, accusing the opposition of attempting to win support through “giveaway tactics” rather than coherent policy.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne said the opposition’s proposals lack strategic direction and are designed to “capture the imagination of the people” without proper consideration of the financial implications.
“They’re not strategic. They are not coherent,” Browne said, adding that the opposition is relying on “giveaway tactics” to appeal to voters.
He pointed specifically to a UPP proposal to remove all duties and taxes on motor vehicles, which he said would result in a significant loss of government revenue.
“If you take off all the duties and taxes, talk about $50-something million in giveaway,” Browne said, suggesting the figure would be difficult to replace.
According to the prime minister, the opposition later adjusted the proposal to a 50% reduction after recognizing the fiscal impact. He also referenced discussions with car dealers advocating for reduced duties, noting that the government has already implemented similar concessions in certain cases.
“In practice, we have been giving 50% duties on new vehicles. In some instances, it’s 100%,” Browne said, pointing to benefits already extended to taxi operators, teachers, nurses and police officers.
Browne argued that the opposition is repackaging existing policies as new initiatives, accusing them of misleading the public.
“They are actually promising something that is already in place,” he said, adding that the proposals are part of an attempt to “mamaguy the people.”
The prime minister also rejected the idea of competing with the opposition on campaign pledges, warning against what he described as a “giveaway war.”
“We’re not getting involved in their giveaway war. We’ll be very responsive, we’ll be very measured,” Browne said, adding that his administration will focus on policies aimed at empowering workers and the wider population.
His remarks come as political parties intensify campaigning ahead of the April 30 general election, with competing proposals on taxation, cost-of-living relief and economic policy dominating the campaign narrative.
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Gaston brown: I am warning you about my catch phrase like ” ready to rebuild” and now renaissance or rebirth.
I can con you all with different catch phrase and get back to the lottery jackpot of controlling the treasury of Antigua and Barbuda money and enrich myself and family.
Am I an empleomania? I just love power lol.
Is you all headache with this visa thing to america because I have a diplomatic passport to go america, and I sure do issue one for my son so he can access our property in Miami.
The man is such a disgraceful SOAB!!!!
He apparently doesn’t believe in the existence of God.
No one who believes in God would not assume God’s position.
Gaston believe that he can lie with impunity, steal with impunity, denigrate other humans with impunity and sleep like a baby at night.
Gaston, what is it that you are afraid of having exposed that you will sell your soul to retain power?
Why do you have such an obsession with power?
I am not a biblical man however I more on the spiritual side.
Let me ask you this: Do you believe that you will live on forever?
I am not sure that you sleep beside your wife.
When you look at her in bed or just walking around the house how do you feel about her?
How do you feel about other women?
How do you feel about other human beings?
HOW DO.YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF?
This power that you yearn is coming.
However you will not enjoy it for too long.
Tarry on!!!!!
Tarry on!!!!!
Antigua and Barbuda, we must wake up before April 30th. After 8 years of ABLP rule, they call a snap election just halfway through the term, while corruption flourishes. We now face a $10,000 visa bond, as the CIP program tied us to shady figures, eroding our passport’s respect. The Prime Minister flaunts his wealth, while his wife runs Public Works, awarding contracts and kickbacks. Water barely flows—on at 1 a.m., off by 4 a.m., sometimes gone for a whole week. Our hospital’s MRI and CT scans barely work. Taxes soar—40% on car licensing, while roads crumble. Gun crime explodes—just a few years ago, a senior customs officer was killed on their watch, a young woman was murdered on the beach, and just weeks ago, two children lost their lives. Ministers exploit conflicts of interest—one runs motorbike tours on cruise ships, another dominates trucking, both competing unfairly with small businesses. Though we’re a small island, once considered safe, crime is soaring, and little is being done. Our future, our children, and our economy depend on us voting them out. Let’s take back our country on April 30th and build a safer, brighter Antigua.”
@ Gastorn
10 REASONS WHY I WILL VOTE AGAINST ABLP IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS
1. THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT RESTORE OUR VISAS UNDER ABLP. A NEW GOVRNMENT WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO GET A REPRIEVE; EVEN AS A GOODWILL GESTURE.
2. WE WILL GET TO SEE THE FULL SCALE OF GIVE-AWAYS AND UNBALANCED QUID PRO QUOs THIS GOVERNMENT HAS FORCED US INTO.
3. WE WILL GET TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT “NYAMCO” AND ALL THE OTHER SCHEMES COOKED UP BY ABLP AND THEIR HECHMEN TO CREAM OFF OUR MONEY.
4. WE WILL FINALLY HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT WILL HAVE TO LISTEN TO US IN A MEANINGFUL WAY AND NOT HEAR, “OH, THAT IS WHY WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT”
5. THE SCOURGE OF SELF-ENRICHMENT WILL BE REMOVED FOR GOOD. MORE EMPOWERMENT FOR YOU AND ME AS IT SHOULD BE.
6. STOP THE THINKING OF ANY FUTURE GOVERNEMNT THAT TO WIN, YOU JUST GIVE AWAY EVERYTHING AT OUR EXPENSE. Btw IF THEY WIN, THEY WILL INCREASES TAXES TO RECOUP THOSE FUNDS.
7. THE ALFA NARGO SCANDAL WILL BE LESS OF A BURDEN AROUND OUR NECKS BUT NOT GASTON, AS IT SHOULD BE.
8. IT WILL BE WONDERFUL TO SEE ALL THOSE WHO JUMP THE UPP SHIP START SCAMPERING HITHER, THITHER AND YON.
9. THEY ARE JUST WAITING TO INCREASE THE PRICE OF GAS.
10. WE WILL FINALLY GET RID OF THIS “CHECK YOU MINISTER” CURSE AND THE SYSTEMS OF GOVERNANCE WILL BE RESTORED.
FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR CHILDREN AND CHILDREN’S CHILDREN, STOP THEM!
Gaston bowy, you have some nerves. You accusing the UPP of expecting to win by GIVEAWAY POLICY. All the elections that ABLP have won (some say theif) have come by way of the same GIVEAWAY POLICY. Long before the date of this snap election was called the only thing you haven’t given away is your draws and who really knows. Your NARCISSISTIC CHARACTER is boundless
What I believe as someone who usually vote ALP/ABLP is if Gaston is returned to office our chances to get Visa to go the US is slim to none and I know for political reasons some will say who cares but some of us might need medical procedures that cannot be done here while others need to go to study. Gaston himself said we are too small to fight these big countries. PEOPLE BE WISE
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