The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) launched its convention on Sunday with a sweeping display of political energy, as hundreds of supporters packed the People's Place in a sea of red flags, horns, and chants. According to Antigua.news, ABLP Chairman E.P. Chet Greene described the gathering as a "convention of all conventions" and framed it as the opening of a new political chapter for the country.
From the outset, the event carried a festival-like atmosphere. All 17 ABLP candidates entered the venue in celebratory procession, accompanied by family members, friends, and supporters. The candidates danced their way through the hall, blending political pageantry with cultural expression and community pride.
Taking to the stage, Greene delivered a confident, forward-looking address, warning that the future of Antigua and Barbuda "cannot be gambled." He cast the convention not merely as a party event, but as a defining moment for the nation's direction.
"This is a convention of all conventions… one of renaissance, a new era for this country," Greene told the crowd to loud applause. "We are moving forward, aiming higher."
Greene argued that the party's vision extends beyond traditional economic benchmarks, insisting that governance must centre on people, opportunity, and inclusivity. "It is not just about economic growth and numbers," he said. "Antigua and Barbuda stands strong, unemployment is at its lowest level, and opportunities are expanding. These are facts—these are the foundations of the renaissance."
He credited the party's record of progress to deliberate leadership rather than circumstance. "These results did not happen by accident. They are the outcome of leadership that understands government must serve all people, all the time," Greene added.
As the convention continued, supporters kept streaming into the venue, reinforcing the ABLP's show of strength ahead of the upcoming election season. With music, movement, and a message built on continuity and progress, the party signalled that its campaign is fully underway and anchored in its "Renaissance" vision.
