Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on supporters of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) to mobilise in large numbers for the upcoming Labour Day march, urging at least 10,000 people to take to the streets to demonstrate the party’s continued dominance.
Speaking at a rally on Friday night, Mr Browne said the Labour Day celebration would serve as a clear message that the ABLP remains the political party of choice in Antigua and Barbuda.
“Come this Labour Day, we must show them that the Labour Party is the greatest political movement in this hemisphere,” the ABLP leader declared. “Let us put 10,000 people on the road.”
The Prime Minister framed the march not only as a show of strength but as a tribute to the party’s long-standing history in nation-building. He referenced founding leaders such as Sir Vere Cornwall Bird and said he was proud to build on the legacy of the “39ers and 76ers”—referring to landmark election victories in the party’s history.
“I am proud to be the leader of this great organisation,” he said. “The Labour Party built this country, and we continue to empower the people.”
Mr Browne’s call comes amid ongoing political tensions, with the Prime Minister facing criticism over allegations tied to the Alfa Nero yacht and other issues. However, he told supporters that the Labour movement remains unshaken by what he described as smear campaigns.
“No matter how they slander us or defame us, they can’t stop this movement,” he said. “Provided that I have breath, I will continue to fight for you unrelentingly.”
Labour Day, observed annually in Antigua and Barbuda on the first Monday in May, is a key political and cultural event often marked by rallies, parades, and speeches by trade unions and political parties.
This year’s march is expected to take on added political significance as both government and opposition parties seek to energise their bases ahead of future electoral contests.
Mr Browne concluded his remarks with a message of unity and momentum: “Let’s fight the battle. Let us continue to take the fight to the UPP.”
