St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – The United Progressive Party (UPP) has strongly condemned the Gaston Browne administration’s plan to raise vehicle registration fees by 40%, calling it “wickedness of epic proportions” and urging citizens to resist the measure.
UPP Political Leader Jamale Pringle issued a statement denouncing the proposal, arguing that it amounts to a betrayal of public trust. He noted that no indication of the increase was given during the Budget Presentation or the subsequent debate in December, leaving citizens unprepared for the financial burden.
Pringle criticised the timing of the proposed hike, pointing out that the government recently touted record revenue collections at the port. He questioned whether those claims were exaggerated, suggesting that the administration may be in financial trouble.
“If, as reported, this increase is to secure a loan of $100 million, then we must ask why the lender is imposing such a harsh condition on the Browne administration,” Pringle said. “Has the government defaulted on other loans with that lender?”
The opposition leader also raised concerns about the impact of the increase on workers, pensioners, and businesses. He noted that while public servants have only received a 14% salary increase across three terms of the Browne administration, the government is now seeking to impose a 40% rise in vehicle registration fees. He further questioned how struggling businesses, some owed money by the government, would absorb the additional costs without passing them on to consumers.
Pringle accused the administration of imposing “taxation without representation” and called for widespread opposition to the measure. He urged citizens to push back through protests, demonstrations, or other means of resistance.
“The United Progressive Party calls on Finance Minister Gaston Browne to withdraw this punishment on the people,” he said. “If he fails to do so, we encourage the people to stand up, sit out, go slow, picket, demonstrate or boycott—use whatever means necessary to protest.”
The government has not yet responded to the UPP’s criticism.
