01
Tax-Free Essential Goods
Remove all taxes, duties, and mark-ups on the Basket of Essential Goods at checkout.
2026 People's PlatformFifteen Pillars.
Fifteen Pillars.
One Government
Working For YOU.
The United Progressive Party's complete 2026 manifesto — concrete commitments on cost of living, roads, vehicle duties, water, education, healthcare, jobs, public safety, agriculture, justice, sports, energy & transport, youth empowerment, social transformation, and entrepreneurship & economy. Every promise. Every constituency. Every Citizen and Resident.
Election DayApril 30, 2026
Seats Contested16 seats
Platform PillarsFifteen
Jamale PringlePolitical LeaderUnited Progressive Party
From the Political Leader
Dear Citizens, Residents and Nationals Abroad:
It gives me great pleasure to present to you the United Progressive Party's pillars, 2026, which we hope will inform your decision on April 30, General Election Day and guide our promise of a Government that works for you.
As you are aware, this is a “snap election” – called with only four weeks’ notice. However, given the state of the local economy, the geo-political realities of our region, and the difficulties of obtaining credible information and reliable statistics, the Party decided to involve residents in this process as deeply as possible.
The People indicated that they are tired of promises that, year after year, remain mere words on paper. They are tired, too, of the mad, impossible rush of the Browne Administration, which remembers these promises only weeks before an election.
As a responsible government-in-waiting, we recognized that our socio-economic climate demands wisdom. So, it was our considered decision not to over-promise and under-perform. Rather, we agreed that we would commit to achieving the objectives The People most want and what a prudent Administration could deliver.
What we present to you in this document is a compilation of their hopes and dreams; ambitions and prescriptions; and our commitment to putting them into action.
To do this, we will draw from the individual strengths of each member of Our Team, bundled together for a united, progressive approach to the development of our Country and our People.
“We pledge to do our best, every day, to rebuild what has been torn down; repair what has been broken; restore trust in the institutions of Government.”
We look forward to serving you in Government.
Yours faithfully,
Jamale Pringle
Jamale PringlePolitical Leader, United Progressive PartyApril 2026
Cross-Cutting Commitment
Diaspora Affairs
The United Progressive Party recognises nationals abroad as Antigua and Barbuda’s primary intellectual and economic resource. A UPP government will establish the structures to bring them home — in every sense.
- Dedicated Portfolio — Establish within the Office of the Prime Minister the portfolio of Diaspora Affairs, dedicated to cultivating economic and social partnerships with nationals abroad and utilising them as our primary intellectual resource.
- One-Stop Shop — Create a single point of contact for advice, direction, and processing of government-related services including investments, land acquisition, and professional opportunities.
- Retirement Village — Partner with Diaspora communities to create a secure and self-contained Retirement Village equipped with amenities (ATM, pharmacy, supermarket, recreational facilities, shuttle service) that will make repatriation more desirable.
- Homecoming Festival — Reestablish “Homecoming” as part of the Independence festival to promote family, school and community reunions and deepen ties to the land and our culture.
First actions in government
First 100 Days. Fifteen Priorities.
These are the commitments a UPP government begins delivering from day one. Four have an explicit First 100 Days mandate — Education, Healthcare, Energy, and Business & Economy. All fifteen are underway within the first 100 days.
02
100% Duty-Free Vehicles
Personal vehicles up to 7 years old are 100% duty-free. Commercial vehicles will benefit from 50% less duties.
03
WATA Programme Launches
Water Tanks and Accessories Programme operational — building household water security.
04
All Saints Clinic Reopens
Community clinics reopened. Night clinic services restored for working families.
05
Free K–A Level Education
Free public education from Kindergarten to A-Level. CSEC fees in English and Maths sponsored for all.
06
Roads Commission Formed
Independent Roads Commission operational. Full public accounting of the $100M road loan begins.
07
Dollar Barrel Restored
Dollar Barrel initiative twice yearly — June/July and December/January. Three barrels per household.
08
Police Service Rebranded
Antigua and Barbuda Police Service launched. Civilian Review Board established with independent authority.
09
Farm Allotments Activated
Rent-free 25-year allotments at Diamonds Estate and Christian Valley. CMC refocused on local produce. 25% off APUA water rates for farms.
10
Constitutional Reform Initiated
Amendments for dual citizenship electoral rights, fixed-date five-year terms, and alternative sentencing for first-time non-violent offenders.
11
Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex Commissioned
Design and planning for the Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex at North Sound begins — Football Stadium (8,000 seats) and Indoor Facility (5,000 seats).
12
APUA Prepaid Billing Initiated
APUA alternative electricity billing rollout begins — prepaid and top-up plans to help households control usage and avoid disconnections.
13
National Youth Council Framework
Work with Youth Parliamentarians and civic groups begins. youth representation on all boards and committees mandated.
14
Pensions & Benefits Review
Annual pension review initiated, pegged to inflation. Maintenance of Minors (MOM) fund introduced. People's Benefit Card reviewed and increased.
15
Business Consultations Convened
Within the first seven working days: Chamber of Commerce and Employers Federation convened for a week of industry consultations setting the economic direction.
Pillar 01
Cost of Living
Food First: Survival Before Revenue
First 100 Days
- Remove all taxes, duties, and mark-ups on a redesigned Basket of Essential Goods
- Restore the Dollar Barrel initiative twice yearly: June–July and December–January (up to 3 barrels per household per cycle)
- Boost local agricultural production through the CMC with duty-free inputs for farmers
- Maintain existing levies on junk food and sugary drinks — essential nutrition comes first
- Review civil servants' salaries to peg compensation to qualifications
- Upgrade Non-Established workers' salaries to a base of $2,700 per month
Years 1–3
- Establish bulk-purchase agreements between CMC and government agencies and tourism businesses
- Reduce import dependency on staple food items through targeted agricultural investment
- Expand duty-free input support to cover seeds, fertiliser, and small equipment
- Review and maintain the Essential Goods Basket to reflect what families actually need
Years 3–5
- Build a sustainable "Grow What We Eat" strategy connecting local farmers to markets
- Publish a National Food Security Plan with import-reduction targets
- Protect and strengthen the agricultural sector through smarter incentives
Tax-free
Essential Goods Basket at checkout
2× yearly
Dollar Barrel cycles restored
Duty-free
Agricultural inputs for farmers
Survival before revenue. A UPP government will not collect money from the hunger of its own citizens.
Pillar 02
Roads & Infrastructure
Accountability, Not Just Asphalt
First 100 Days
- Establish an Independent and Professional Roads Commission mandated to monitor all road creation and maintenance
- Review the ABLP's 40% licence-fee hike — demand a full public accounting
- Review the $100 million road loan — accounting of works completed, contractors paid, value delivered
- Begin the national Street-Naming and House-Numbering Plan to improve emergency response and GPS navigation
Years 1–3
- Implement the Community Road Rehabilitation Plan with community input and needs-based prioritisation
- Repurpose recycled tyres from Cooks Sanitary Landfill for road patching — reducing waste and potholes
- Ensure rehabilitation works are distributed fairly across communities, not politically favoured areas
- Complete the Street-Naming and House-Numbering rollout across all communities
Years 3–5
- Move from reactive patching to proactive road maintenance with transparent schedules
- Publish road maintenance schedules by community — residents know when work is planned
- Ensure the Independent Roads Commission has permanent mandate and resources
$100M+
Road loan fully accounted for publicly
Every parish
Community Road Rehabilitation
National
Street-naming and house-numbering plan
Roads are not a political reward. Every resident and citizen deserves good roads regardless of how they vote.
Pillar 03
Vehicle Duties
Relief for Families, Farmers, and Business
First 100 Days
- Make personal-use vehicles up to 7 years old 100% duty-free
- Commercial vehicles will benefit from 50% less duties
- Fully exempt all designated farm vehicles and equipment from import duties
- Review the ABLP's 40% vehicle-licensing fee hike
Years 1–3
- Establish clear guidelines for personal, commercial, and farm vehicle duty categories
- Ensure the farm vehicle exemption covers a broad range of agricultural equipment
- Monitor impact of vehicle-duty relief on affordability and adjust as needed
- Align vehicle duty policy with the broader agricultural and small-business support agenda
Years 3–5
- Conduct a full review of the vehicle-duty relief framework
- Expand the farm equipment exemption as the agricultural sector grows
- Maintain commitment to keeping vehicle costs manageable for working families and businesses
100%
Duty-free for personal vehicles up to 7 years old
50% less
Duties on commercial vehicles
0%
Duties on farm vehicles and equipment
The Browne Administration hiked vehicle fees by 40%. A UPP Government will be more responsible.
Pillar 04
Water Security
From Scarcity to Security: The WATA Programme
First 100 Days
- Launch the WATA (Water Tanks and Accessories) Programme — capitalizing on the July–December rainy season
- Connect and commission all storage tanks erected under previous UPP administrations that remain unconnected
- Deploy emergency-response teams for all reported water leaks across the network
- Enforce a National Schedule of Water Delivery so every community knows when water is coming
- Prioritize maintenance of Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants and maintain adequate spare parts inventory
Years 1–3
- Accelerate new pipe-laying on a community-by-community completion basis — finish one before starting the next
- No more half-done projects that leave communities waiting years for completion
- Launch a National Catchment and Conservation programme beginning at the primary school level
- Expand household and community-level water storage capacity through the WATA Programme
Years 3–5
- Build toward reliable, full-capacity water delivery to every community
- Develop a National Water Resilience Strategy addressing long-term supply and climate adaptation
- Make water conservation education a permanent part of the national curriculum
First 100 Days
WATA Programme launches
All tanks
Unconnected storage commissioned
National
Water delivery schedule enforced
Water is not a campaign promise. Water is a human right. A UPP government delivers WATA.
Pillar 05
Education
Every Child, Every Dream, Every Opportunity
First 100 Days
- Deliver free public education from Kindergarten to A-Level
- Sponsor CSEC Examination Fees in English and Mathematics for all students
- Reinstate the two (2) per year School Uniform Grant
- Restore the School Meals Programme to its "Nutrition for Learning" objective — sourced from local farmers
- Teacher compensation will be pegged to qualifications in line with the wider public service framework
- Institute electronic and other measures to upgrade school safety and security
- Increase police presence at bus stations during after-school hours to protect students
Years 1–3
- Reform curriculum to include Antigua and Barbuda and Caribbean history, geography, and civics
- Establish Specialized Subject Concentrations: ICT/AI Tools, Performing Arts/Pan, Entrepreneurship, Trades & Technical Skills
- Establish Trades & Skills Training Centres — construction, renewable energy, manufacturing, culinary arts, clothing design
- Complete 100% broadband connectivity across all schools — no rural school without internet
- Institute Adult Education Evening Classes utilising the secondary school plant nationwide
- Launch Community-Based Courses: Finance Management, Parenting, Health & Wellness, Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership
- Revamp the Board of Education Scholarship Programme — align with National Priority List and Bonding Requirements
Years 3–5
- Expand and support daycare and pre-school education in collaboration with the Church Associations
- Place trained guidance counsellors and mental health professionals in every school zone
- Ensure continuous lifelong learning for adults is embedded as a permanent feature
K–A Level
Free public education for all
100%
Broadband connectivity in all schools
100+
Apprenticeship places per year
A child in Liberta will have the same opportunity as a child in St. John's. Education for life, wealth and freedom.
Pillar 06
Health & Environment
Community-Centred, Prevention-First
First 100 Days
- Accelerate work on reopening All Saints Clinic
- Reinstate night clinic services so working families can access care outside business hours
- Institute a one-year bond for medical scholarship recipients — deployment to community clinics minimum six hours per day, three days per week
- Begin stakeholder consultation to improve care at Mount St. John's Medical Centre with MBS, Nurses and Doctors Associations, and regional institutions
Years 1–3
- Establish the Cynthia Boone Thibou Senior Centre — dedicated space for elderly enrichment and engagement
- Expand mental health services at Clare Vue Psychiatric Hospital including outpatient counselling for young people
- Establish Zonal Wellness Programmes in partnership with churches, schools, Rastafarian communities and sports teams
- Legislate for Integrative and Holistic Medicine with emphasis on preventative care
- Improve Sanitation nationally, starting with St. John's City
- Develop a national marine environment strategy to protect coral reefs and coastal ecosystems — with particular focus on Barbuda's internationally significant marine environment
- Implement a coordinated national response to the sargassum crisis affecting Barbuda and Antigua — collection, safe disposal, and exploration of commercial uses including fertiliser and construction materials
- Establish a responsible coastline investment framework for Barbuda and Antigua that protects natural and marine environments while enabling sustainable economic development along the coast
Years 3–5
- Ensure every constituency has a functioning clinic with qualified staff
- Build out a prevention-first healthcare culture through Zonal Wellness Programmes
- Create a sustainable model for community-based mental health support
First 100 Days
All Saints Clinic reopens
Restored
Night clinic services for workers
Every parish
Functioning community clinics
If your community clinic is closed, your government has failed you. Under the UPP, healthcare is a right — delivered where you live.
Pillar 07
Jobs & Employment
Well-Paying Work, Stronger Business, More Opportunity
First 100 Days
- Improve ease of doing business through a one-stop shop for business registration and electronic filing
- Fast-track private-sector investment projects that create jobs and productive activity
- Review Special Economic Zone agreements to ensure they serve the national interest
- Revitalize the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority to attract job-creating investment
Years 1–3
- Support entrepreneurship and small-business growth as a job-creation strategy — especially for young people
- Restore a stronger procurement pathway for MSMEs
- Administrative support through the YES Program
- Expand credit, concession and incubator support for productive local business
- Promote well-paying local employment in major projects — first preference for Antiguans and Barbudans
Years 2–5
- Build stronger training and apprenticeship pathways through the School of Careers and employer partnerships
- Support youth innovation centres, start-up capital, business mentoring and enterprise programmes
- Prepare workers for future jobs in technology, renewable energy, data and cyber security
- Expand jobs in creative industries, sports, tourism, housing construction and urban revitalisation
One-stop
Business registration and filing
MSMEs first
Government procurement pathway
Future-ready
Skills training and apprenticeships
People do not just want activity in the economy. They want a fair chance to build a livelihood and stay hopeful about the future.
Pillar 08
Crime & Public Safety
Safer Communities, Faster Justice, Stronger Prevention
First 100 Days
- Rename the police force as the Antigua and Barbuda Police Service
- Establish a Civilian Review Board with independent authority to review misconduct and use-of-force complaints
- Identify a dedicated revenue stream for training and equipment to improve crime-fighting competencies
- Implement merit-based rewards for police officers, fire officers and nurses — with insurance coverage for all three
- Develop a Community Relations Unit engaging schools, sports teams, churches and regular community patrols
- Create and enforce public order policies at bus stations and on school compounds
- Improve water provision via hydrants for firefighting in St. John's and rural communities
- Re-establish Magistrates' Courts in All Saints, Bolans, Parham and Barbuda
Years 1–3
- Launch Youth Opportunity Programme: job training in carpentry, plumbing, ICT, hospitality, maritime, renewable energy, construction
- Establish a Victim and Witness Support Unit with trauma counselling and court navigation
- Create confidential reporting mechanisms — online, phone and text-based
- Deploy drug and gang-interruption programmes with a dedicated task force and peer-led street outreach
- Establish first-responder centres in Johnson's Point, Carty's Hill and English Harbour
Years 2–5
- Expand youth diversion through the Police Service — reduce unnecessary criminalisation
- Introduce alternative sentencing for eligible non-violent cases
- Build a modern Youth Offender Development Centre and improve the Boys Training School
- Provide skills training, pre-release counselling and post-release re-entry support
- Expand prosecutorial capacity to clear backlogs and deliver timely outcomes for victims
Independent
Civilian Review Board established
All parishes
Community policing officers deployed
4 courts
Magistrates' Courts restored
Safety is not a privilege. A UPP government will build it — community by community, officer by officer, young person by young person.
Pillar 09
Agriculture
Grow What We Eat, Earn What We Grow
First 100 Days
- Make Diamonds Estate and Christian Valley fruitful again through rent-free 25-year allotments to farmers
- Refocus the CMC towards marketing and distribution of local produce
- Promote and enforce the 25% reduction in APUA-provided water rates to productive farms
- Increase the penalties for praedial larceny to include suspension of convicted persons' driver's licence for up to one year
Years 1–3
- Actively seek grant funding for the provision and installation of a solar drying/dehydration facility and training in its use and maintenance
- Orient and support farmers toward manufacturing to minimise glut and waste
- Prioritise the creation and improvement of farm roads as a critical part of the Community Roads Rehabilitation Programme incorporating recycled vehicle tyres
- Grant 50-year leases to large-scale productive farmers and allow them to build homes on site to encourage generational continuity and deter praedial larceny
Years 3–5
- Expand the solar drying/dehydration facility programme to serve more farming communities
- Review and extend the rent-free allotment programme based on productivity outcomes
- Build a sustainable farm-to-market pipeline that reduces import dependency on food Antigua and Barbuda can grow
25-year
Rent-free allotments at Diamonds Estate & Christian Valley
25% off
APUA water rates for productive farms
50-year
Land leases for large-scale productive farmers
Antigua's best land should be feeding its people. A UPP government will put it to work — rent-free, supported, and protected.
Pillar 10
Justice & Constitution Review
Constitutional Reform, Electoral Integrity, and Smarter Justice
First 100 Days
- Initiate constitutional amendments to allow nationals with dual citizenship to seek electoral office
- Initiate constitutional amendments to codify fixed-date, five-year electoral terms
- Legislate entitlement of public servants to return to their posts after an unsuccessful bid for electoral office
- Introduce legislation for alternative sentencing — community service for first-time non-violent offenders (probation, not incarceration)
- Mandate counselling and anger-management classes for domestic violence offenders
Years 1–3
- Complete the constitutional amendment process for dual citizenship electoral eligibility
- Complete the constitutional amendment process for fixed-date five-year electoral terms
- Establish and operationalise the community service sentencing framework with oversight and reporting
- Expand counselling and rehabilitation programmes for domestic violence offenders island-wide
Years 3–5
- Publish a national audit of constitutional reform progress and remaining priorities
- Build a justice system that prioritises rehabilitation and accountability in equal measure
Amended
Constitution — dual citizenship electoral rights & fixed-date terms
Protected
Public servants' right to contest and return to office
Legislated
Alternative sentencing for first-time non-violent offenders
Justice is not only about punishment. It is about fairness, a constitution that serves the people, and a system that rehabilitates rather than entrenches.
Pillar 11
Sports
Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex — Building Antigua and Barbuda's Athletic Future
First 100 Days
- Commission the design and development plan for the Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex at North Sound
- Implement the National Sports Policy and introduce a Sports Development Act
- Mandate the National Sports Council to implement a Code of Ethics for local sporting bodies covering transparency, accountability and good governance
- Create a comprehensive Sports Sponsorship Policy with incentives and concessions to encourage business investment at club and national levels
- Reduce duties on sporting equipment
- Commission a study on the contribution of sports to Antigua and Barbuda's GDP
- Develop a database of all Antiguan and Barbudan athletes who have represented the country and provide necessary support to ensure them an acceptable standard of living
Years 1–3
- Begin construction of the Football Stadium (8,000 capacity) at the Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex at North Sound
- Begin construction of the Indoor Multiple-Purpose Facility (5,000 capacity) for Volleyball, Netball, and Basketball
- Upgrade the Yasco Track into a National Athletic Centre with an 8-lane Athletic Track
- Establish a High-performance Training Centre for athletes through a public-private partnership
- Assess the need for multi-purpose sports facilities in keeping with the youth development initiatives
- Give special consideration to elite athletes — nutritional, insurance, medical, transportation and accommodation support
- Develop Sports Tourism by marketing Antigua as a high-quality events venue and professional off-season training destination
- Launch Biennial Parish Games and National Under-20 Games covering athletics, cricket, football, netball, basketball and swimming
- Restructure school sports and pay coaches based on their qualifications; increase trained technical staff in all schools
- Implement a Sports For All policy — ensuring sporting and recreational activities are accessible to the elderly and persons with disabilities
Years 3–5
- Complete and officially open the Football Stadium and Indoor Multiple-Purpose Facility at the Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex at North Sound
- Build a National Aquatics Facility with a 50m 8-lane swimming pool, 10m dive tower and springboards
- Refurbish and upgrade the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and National Tennis Centre to a standard fit to host events such as the Pan American Games
- Upgrade Cedar Valley Golf Club facilities and environs through a public-private partnership
- Develop Drag Racing and Rally Tracks to international standards
- Introduce the National Differently Abled Games and expand sports programmes for the physically challenged and visually impaired
- Partner with the Football Association to semi-professionalize football
- Establish the Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex at North Sound as a hub for year-round training, development, and international competition
8,000
Seat Football Stadium at North Sound
5,000
Fan Indoor Facility — Volleyball, Netball & Basketball
Phase One
Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex completed
All Citizens deserve world-class facilities to play, compete, and be proud. The Sir Vivian Richards Sports & Entertainment Complex will be built — not promised.
Pillar 12
Energy, Transport & Sustainability
Clean Energy, Fair Prices, Better Connections
First 100 Days
- Monitor international cost fluctuation and work closely with WIOC, service-station dealers, bus and taxi associations to ensure fairness in pricing to all — businesses, consumers, and Government
- Initiate APUA prepaid and top-up billing system rollout to help households control usage, avoid disconnections, and reduce arrears to landlords
Years 1–3
- Adopt No More Oil Policy — no new fossil fuel power plants; all future plants powered by renewables
- Collaborate with the Barbuda Council to expand affordable, safe, and reliable air and sea transportation between the islands
- Improve safety and security measures, facilities, and amenities at the V.C. Bird International Airport, with special attention to maintenance of electronic systems
Years 3–5
- Accelerate the national transition to renewable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels
- Evaluate and expand inter-island transport capacity between Antigua and Barbuda
- Publish a National Sustainability Plan with targets for emissions reduction and energy independence
No New Oil
All future power plants powered by renewables
Prepaid
APUA billing — control your usage and costs
Barbuda Link
Affordable air and sea transport expanded
Antigua and Barbuda must power its future on clean energy, connect its islands affordably, and ensure fuel pricing is fair for every family and business.
Pillar 13
Youth Empowerment
Voice, Service, Opportunity — The Next Generation Leads
First 100 Days
- Work with Youth Parliamentarians, UWI-FI, and other civic and church groups to facilitate and support a National Youth Council (NYC) with the Prime Minister as its Patron
- Ensure youth representation on all boards and major committees
Years 1–3
- Collaborate with the NYC to create a Youth Development Policy with a dedicated budget
- Collaborate with the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force to create a National Service Corps, dedicated to fostering volunteerism in community service
- Within the first term, seek grant and other funding for a new secondary school to reduce overcrowding at Ottos Comprehensive and Princess Margaret Schools
- Encourage youth toward savings and investment by way of the Social Security "Win-Win Land Loans" and dedicated housing programmes
- Conduct a Land Audit to determine the full extent of available Crown land — and establish what has already been sold or swapped
- Zone, price and allocate Crown land in approximately 8,000 sq ft plots at no higher than $5 per square foot — exclusively for youth aged 35 and under
- Target assignment of plots to no fewer than 2,000 young people over the first term; prohibit bulk acquisition to prevent individuals from buying up Crown land
- End the practice of requiring new homeowners to pay for APUA electricity poles and water pipes when moving into a new neighbourhood
- Pursue public-private partnerships to create affordable, multi-level townhouse communities for young families and first-time buyers
Years 3–5
- Ensure the National Youth Council is fully operational with its own development budget and programme cycle
- Review youth representation on boards and expand the mandate where needed
- Publish outcomes from the National Service Corps and evaluate expansion to new community sectors
Youth
Representation on all boards and major committees
NYC
National Youth Council established with dedicated budget
1 New School
Reducing overcrowding at Ottos & Princess Margaret
All youth deserve a seat at the table, a role in national service, and a clear pathway to land, housing, and a future they can build.
Pillar 15
Business & Economy
Growth, Opportunity, and a Stronger Business Climate
First 100 Days
- Within the first seven working days, liaise with the Chamber of Commerce and Employers Federation to convene a week of consultations with industry leaders, professional associations, and trade unions
- Immediately seek an audience with the US State Department regarding the easing or lifting of visa sanctions on nationals of Antigua and Barbuda
- Review and assess the strengths, weaknesses, and viability of the Citizenship by Investment Program
- Conduct an audit of all State-owned entities, statutory corporations, and companies in which the Government is the major shareholder — including Blue Ocean, NAMCO, National Housing, Ministry of Works, WIOC, and PDV-Caribe
- Repeal the Entertainment Tax and standardize government levies according to size of events
- Revive and recapitalize the Antigua & Barbuda Development Bank by pursuing new investment from local businesses and the Diaspora
Years 1–3
- Create a dedicated fund that supports competitive business ideas — five grants of $20,000 awarded annually
- Develop and promote the Opportunity Knocks (OK) Program — using skills and trades graduates to rehabilitate abandoned residences that degrade communities
- Support Members of Parliament in creating employment via cultural events and community tourism
- Encourage and promote tours of local manufacturing enterprises
- Facilitate growth for all sectors through private, public, and public-private ventures
- Diversify the economy and reduce over-reliance on Tourism by creating new technology-oriented employment
- Work in close partnership with the Barbuda Council and elected representatives to develop and implement targeted economic development and support programmes for the people of Barbuda
Years 3–5
- Increase the Gross Domestic Product in a responsible manner while controlling the Debt-to-GDP ratio
- Reduce youth unemployment from 25% to below 10%
- Revive Agriculture and reduce the national food import bill; expand manufacturing to add value to natural resources; significantly increase export capacity
Tourism — Years 1–5
- Mandate quarterly meetings between the Tourism Authority and stakeholder representatives
- Incentivize hotels and condo-rentals to expand Tourism into a year-round industry through sustained regional promotion in order to push full-time employment
- Work assiduously to increase Summer airlift into Antigua and greater connectivity into Barbuda
- Restore Sailing Week to its former glory as a premier regatta with the greatest economic spin-offs
- Capitalize on major sporting events, including Test and regional cricket and car-racing, through aggressive marketing
- Assist event promoters in marketing the local "Fete Calendar" to Caribbean neighbours
- Given our passport and geopolitical realities, develop and promote “Staycation: Tourists at Home”
- Work closely with the Barbuda Council to develop a “Know Your Barbuda” tourism campaign
- Urgently clean, sanitize and rehabilitate the City of St. John's, making it pedestrian friendly and attractive for leisure
- Urgently clear, clean and maintain heritage sites and beef up beach security
- Cultivate more "home-grown" experiences (culinary, cultural, ecclesiastical) for cruise visitors to get a better appreciation of our culture and to increase on-island spend
- Cultivate and support young influencers to market the country's smaller properties, entertainment and food via social media
- Assist smaller hotels, inns and Airbnbs to capitalize on the Diaspora market, especially during Independence/Homecoming, Christmas, reunions and funerals
- Accelerate the road-rehabilitation process to assist taxi and tour operators ply their trade more comfortably and efficiently
- Accelerate the Street-Naming and House-Numbering exercise to allow visitors to self-navigate the islands, increasing business for car-rental companies
Debt Settlement — Year 1
- Within the first year, settle 50% of the debt Central Government owes to contractors and vendors
- Convert the remaining balance into a Bond to be paid off within a further year
- Liaise with the Union to settle outstanding severance payments to LIAT (1974) Ltd. and CAS workers
Business Environment
- Proactively work with WIOC, dealers, service-station operators, bus and taxi associations, and other stakeholders to arrive at fuel pricing that is fair to businesses, consumers and Government
- Cabinet Ministers will NOT be permitted to compete with the Business Community
- Assess applications for tax concessions on start-ups, expansions, and acquisitions fairly and professionally — treating local investors with no less consideration than foreign direct investors
- Observe and comply with tendering regulations prescribed by law to stamp out nepotism, cronyism, and the unfair awarding of government contracts for political advantage
- Establish within the first 180 days the Young Entrepreneurs Set-Up (YES) to support fledgling enterprises with advice and administrative support, ensuring young businesses stay in business
- Grant Work Permits on an industry/profession basis instead of being employer-specific — enabling the permit-holder to seek new employment without requiring new documentation
7 Days
Business community consultations convened
$20k × 5
Annual business idea grants awarded each year
<10%
Youth unemployment target by end of first term
A UPP government will consult first, act fast, and build an economy where businesses grow, workers prosper, and young people have real opportunities.
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Government Must Work For YOU.
Fifteen pillars. Concrete timelines. Real accountability. A UPP government will deliver — not in the abstract, but in your community, your school, your clinic, your water supply, and on the road outside your home.
Election Day — April 30, 2026 · Vote UPP