The United Progressive Party (UPP) launched its general election campaign Sunday night with a spiritually charged rally, presenting its full slate of candidates before three pastors for prayer as the party bids to unseat the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) at the April 30 polls.
According to Antigua.news, the event — dubbed "Ignite" and held in the St. John's Rural West constituency — saw pastors call for divine guidance, wisdom and protection over the candidates as they prepare to hit the campaign trail. One pastor prayed that each candidate would receive "wisdom beyond their age" and "strength to endure the race that is set before them."
UPP Political Leader Jamale Pringle used the occasion to unveil a five-pillar policy platform centred on food costs, roads, vehicle duties, water and healthcare. He framed the campaign as a direct response to what he described as 12 years of declining living standards under the ABLP administration.
The rally also served as a formal constituency-by-constituency introduction of UPP candidates. Sitting MP and Rural West candidate Richard Lewis delivered an address defending his constituency record and directing sharp criticism at his ABLP opponent, whom he repeatedly referred to as "Johnny Come Lately."
Musical performances featured gospel artists including Dawnell Simon Carty, the 2016 Emerge Gospel Competition winner; Kelly Richardson and Just Soul from the Gray's Green community; Dawn John Lewis; Culture D; Naycha KID; and headlining evangelist Bridget Blucher from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The prayers offered throughout the evening called on God to "break every stronghold of the enemy" and for "the wind of change will begin to blow across the nation of Antigua and Barbuda." One pastor prayed directly over the polling stations, asking God to "bind those demons around those polling booths" and to "push back every person who came in to be used of the devil against our birthright."
The unity between Pringle and Lewis was itself a focal point of the evening. One pastor read from Psalm 133 on the theme of brotherly unity, urging the two leaders to maintain their cohesion beyond the public stage.
"Unity is perfected in secret," the pastor said. "When it comes to the front, you don't even have to say much. It will be felt. It will be seen."
The UPP has announced that its campaign will continue in the coming days with events planned for the St. John's City East constituency and the village of Freemansville.
