The Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) is challenging the United Progressive Party (UPP) over what it describes as contradictory messaging on vehicle import duty policy, pointing to differences between the opposition's campaign materials and its official manifesto.
According to Antigua News Room, the dispute centres on a UPP campaign graphic circulating on social media that promises the full elimination of duties on personal vehicle imports, while the party's website outlines a 50 percent reduction on personal and commercial vehicles, with full exemptions reserved only for farm equipment.
One widely shared UPP campaign post states that the party "will eliminate duty on vehicles for personal use," framing the proposal as a complete waiver intended to ease financial pressure on households.
The ABLP seized on the gap between the two positions, questioning whether the opposition holds a clear and consistent policy stance. In one social media post, the governing party asked whether the UPP was "confused or lied," arguing the conflicting statements signal that the party is "not ready" to govern.
The UPP has not publicly responded to the specific criticism raised in the ABLP posts. It remains unclear whether the campaign messaging reflects an updated policy position or a simplified presentation of the manifesto proposal.
The dispute has quickly emerged as a flashpoint in the intensifying campaign season ahead of the April 30 general election, with both parties positioning economic relief as central to their appeal to voters.
Vehicle import duties remain a politically sensitive issue in Antigua and Barbuda, frequently linked to broader public concerns about the cost of living and access to affordable transportation.
The ABLP's challenge forms part of a wider effort by the governing party to scrutinise the credibility of the opposition's policy proposals, as the UPP continues to promote its platform as offering substantive relief to citizens.
