# United Progressive Party

The United Progressive Party is a political party in Antigua and Barbuda. It was previously led by Baldwin Spencer, it was the governing party from 2004 to 2014. It has been in opposition since the 2014 election. Jamale Pringle was elected leader of the party on 21 April 2024, after the resignation of Harold Lovell on 20 January 2023.

## Foundation

The United Progressive Party was formed in 1992 through a merger of three parties, namely the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement, the Progressive Labour Movement and the United National Democratic Party. Each party was in opposition to the Antigua Labour Party government. Baldwin Spencer was chosen to lead the new party.

## Ideology and principles
### Barbuda

The party supports the original Barbuda Land Act, and has proposed establishing a Joint Consultative Committee composed of "experienced leaders" to oversee development projects on the island. The party has also proposed making Barbuda a renewable energy exporter, and supports converting the island into a duty free economy. The party also supports obtaining a dedicated coast guard vessel to patrol the island's waters.

### Economy

In the subject of energy, United Progressive Party supports incentivising more solar power investments and introducing a "No More Oil Policy" to forbid the establishment of new oil-based power plants. The party supports maintaining the consumption tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, and ending all taxes on the importation of electric vehicles.
In financial management, the party supports lowering corporate income tax from 25% to 15%, and removing all sales tax from locally-produced products. The party also supports abolishing entertainment taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and requiring that all investment projects give Antiguan and Barbudan residents first preference in employment. Additionally, the party supports restructuring the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority. The party also wishes to regulate the activities of government ministers in business. In the topic of real estate, the party supports abolishing the stamp duty for first-time home buyers.
In e-government, the party supports a national ID to access online government services, and supports the establishment of online voting.

### Education

The party supports free pre-school education and requiring the government to cover the costs of at least five CXC examinations for students. The party also supports the establishment of a national educational institution for those with autism. The party also supports establishing a special institution for aviation technology, as well as emphasizing STEM and artificial intelligence in education. The party also wishes to foster "appreciation for [the] history and legacy of Antigua and Barbuda" in education.

### Health

The party has proposed constructing new polyclinics and creating a new mental health facility, as well as an additional non-residential facility for "at-risk" youth. The party wishes to create a nationwide set of standards on instructing teachers on how to deal with students' mental health. The party also supports free dental and eye care for persons under eighteen, creating a "medical air-bridge" between Antigua and Barbuda, and improving the quality of parental leave. The party also supports increasing the minimum amount of cannabis for personal consumption to 1 ounce.

### Judiciary and national security

The party wishes to rename the Royal Police Force to the Antigua and Barbuda Police Service, establishing a small claims court, and re-establishing the village magistrates' courts. The party also supports establishing a Service Corps in the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force.
In the topic of immigration, the party supports granting citizenship to anyone with an Antiguan and Barbudan great-grandparent. The party also supports the establishment of a Department of Immigrant Affairs and an Immigration Affairs Tribunal. The party supports fast-track citizenship for illegal immigrants who came to the country as children. The party also supports establishing a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.

### Social development

In the subject of youth, the party supports mandatory student councils in secondary schools and the establishment of a National Youth Council. Additionally, the party supports the establishment of a National Service Corps that would enlist youth to complete various community service operations across the country.
In the subject of crime, the party wishes to abolish bonding and replace it with an obligation to serve in a proposed "National Service Corps". The party wishes to establish Friday and Saturday classes for the country's recommended inmates. The party is against detention of youths who have committed petty crimes.

## Electoral results

| Election | Party leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Government |
| 1994 | Baldwin Spencer | 11,852 | 43.7 | 5 / 17 | New | 2nd | Opposition |
| 1999 | Baldwin Spencer | 14,713 | 44.5 | 4 / 17 | 1 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 2004 | Baldwin Spencer | 21,892 | 55.5 | 12 / 17 | 8 | 1st | Majority |
| 2009 | Baldwin Spencer | 21,239 | 50.7 | 9 / 17 | 3 | 1st | Majority |
| 2014 | Baldwin Spencer | 17,994 | 42.0 | 3 / 17 | 6 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 2018 | Harold Lovell | 14,440 | 37.1 | 1 / 17 | 2 | 2nd | Opposition |
| 2023 | Harold Lovell | 19,207 | 45.2 | 6 / 17 | 5 | 2nd | Opposition |