The campaign for the March 16 by-election in St. Philip’s North has grown increasingly combative, with both the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and the United Progressive Party (UPP), along with their respective candidates, trading sharp barbs in the final stretch.

The ABLP, backing its candidate Randy Baltimore, posted images of a small yellow building on social media with the caption: “Leadership starts at home. If the branch is struggling, how is the constituency supposed to thrive?” The post further questioned Alex Browne’s leadership, stating: “If Alex Browne can’t manage his branch office, how he go manage one whole constituency?” In a subsequent post, the party added: “Sometimes the building tells the story.”

Browne and his supporters rejected the claim, saying the building depicted is a privately owned property in Seatons that was used more than two decades ago by former UPP candidate Francis “Frankie” Nunes Jr., who has since died. They insist Browne has no connection to the structure and that his campaign operations are based in Willikies.

George Wehner, posting in support of Browne, accused the ABLP of attempting to mislead voters by linking the UPP candidate to an abandoned property. He said electors in St. Philip’s North would not be deceived.

On the campaign trail, Browne’s camp has sought to turn the focus back to change in the constituency.

At a recent rally in Willikies, a speaker told supporters, “The time for change is now,” adding, “This time, we’re voting Alex Browne.” The rally concluded with chants of “Alex is next,” as supporters pledged to “reject Baltimore.”

The ABLP has been campaigning under hashtags including #VoteBaltimore and #SafeAndSecure, while the UPP has rallied support around #VoteAlexBrowne and #PeopleFirst.

With less than two weeks before voters head to the polls on March 16, both parties and their candidates appear to be sharpening their attacks as the closely watched contest enters its final phase.