UPP Kicks Off Election Campaign with Faith-Centred 'Ignite' Rally

The United Progressive Party (UPP) has formally launched its general election campaign with a prayer-focused rally called "Ignite," blending worship, political messaging and candidate presentations as the party mobilises support ahead of the April 30 general election.

According to Antigua News Room, organisers framed the event as both a spiritual and political beginning to the campaign, repeatedly emphasising faith, unity and change as its central themes. Early in the programme, a host declared, "Tonight is the night to ignite the campaign… the campaign to victory," as supporters gathered and the event was broadcast online.

The launch opened with extended prayer and worship sessions, during which religious leaders called for divine intervention in national affairs and sought guidance for the party's candidates. One prayer called for "deliverance" and expressed hope that "the wind of change will begin to blow… across the nation of Antigua and Barbuda."

Speakers throughout the night linked the party's political ambitions to faith. One organiser told supporters that "there's no igniting without God," encouraging the crowd to pair the campaign theme of "ignite" with "change."

Candidates from several constituencies were introduced and given brief opportunities to address supporters, pledging to pursue victory and calling for unity within the party. A candidate representing St John's City West told the crowd the party would "work hard to make sure we bring home that victory," while others echoed calls for a nationwide shift in leadership.

One speaker declared that the party aimed to "usher in a new day under the leadership of Jamale Pringle and the United Progressive Party," reinforcing the campaign's overarching message of political change.

Religious elements remained central throughout the evening, with gospel performances and repeated calls for prayer. Candidates were brought on stage and prayed over, with a pastor telling them, "God has chosen each one of you for such a time as this," and calling for unity and strength during the campaign ahead.

Supporters were also urged to engage actively in the electoral process, with organisers encouraging voter turnout and backing for UPP candidates on election day.

The "Ignite" launch marks the formal start of the UPP's campaign activities as the party seeks to unseat the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party on April 30.