The United Progressive Party has pushed back sharply against the Antigua Labour Party's response to its newly released manifesto, accusing the ruling party of focusing on format while deliberately avoiding the document's substance. According to Antigua News Room, the UPP characterised the ABLP's statement as a political distraction that fails to engage seriously with the core issues facing Antiguans and Barbudans.
The UPP described its manifesto as clear, structured, and accessible, noting that it directly addresses national priorities identified by voters — including water access, roads, crime, healthcare, the cost of living, governance reform, and economic opportunity. The party defended its decision to publish the document online, arguing that digital distribution reflects a modern approach to public communication rather than a weakness.
The opposition party also levelled criticism at the ABLP's campaign spending, pointing to what it described as millions of dollars directed toward advertising, political messaging, and concerts. The UPP raised the question of why such financial resources have not translated into tangible improvements in citizens' daily lives, suggesting the ruling party is more focused on retaining power than delivering public services.
The UPP further challenged the ABLP's claim that the opposition has "no plan," arguing that the ruling party has offered no substantive engagement with the actual policies outlined in the manifesto. Instead, the UPP said, the ABLP has relied on narratives rooted in the 2004–2014 period, sidestepping any meaningful defence of its own 12-year record.
With voters navigating economic hardship and concerns stemming from US visa restrictions, the UPP argued that citizens are seeking results, accountability, and a credible path forward — not what the party called political theatrics.
