The United Progressive Party (UPP) has flatly rejected claims that it plans to reintroduce personal income tax, accusing the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) of spreading misinformation during the ongoing election campaign.
In a press release issued Monday, the opposition party denied what it called "naked lies" and directed sharp criticism at the online platform Antigua Today for publishing what it described as false information.
The controversy stems from a post suggesting the UPP would restore income tax to compensate for revenue losses linked to a proposed removal of import duties on vehicles.
The UPP said its political leader, Jamale Pringle, had laid out a markedly different policy at the party's campaign launch on April 12 in St John's Rural West. Pringle pledged that a UPP administration would eliminate import duties on vehicles imported for personal use, arguing the measure would streamline the process and remove the need for discretionary ministerial waivers.
"This, he explained, would de-politicize the process and eliminate the need for residents to 'check your minister' for a waiver," the statement read.
The party dismissed the income tax claims as a "fake meme" engineered by political opponents and characterised the move as a "panicked" attempt to derail its campaign momentum.
"The United Progressive Party denies any such consideration or statement regarding income tax," the release stated. The party also condemned Antigua Today for what it termed a "perversion of the principles of journalism."
The UPP used the statement to reaffirm additional campaign commitments, including a 50% reduction in import duties on commercial vehicles and the full removal of duties on farm vehicles and agricultural equipment.
The ABLP has not issued a formal response to the UPP's statement.
