United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for All Saints West Harold Lovell says the government has had three terms to resolve key national issues such as water and roads but has failed to deliver, arguing that voters should now demand a change in leadership.

Speaking on Observer Radio’s Connecting with Dave Lester Payne, Lovell criticised the administration led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, saying longstanding problems remain unresolved despite repeated mandates.

“If you give somebody a job to do, and they go through one term… they don’t do it. They beg for a second term… they don’t do it. They’ve come back for a third term, and they still haven’t done it,” Lovell said, referring to the country’s ongoing water issues.

“There can be no excuses for that,” he added, arguing that the government lacks a systematic plan to address major challenges.

Lovell said the administration has been “lurching from really one crisis to another,” pointing to water shortages, deteriorating roads and the rising cost of living as key concerns raised by residents.

On infrastructure, he criticised the government’s road programme, saying there is no clear strategy guiding spending despite a 40 percent increase in vehicle licensing fees.

“You don’t have a road construction and maintenance plan… they’re just spending money and not spending it in a wise way,” he said.

He also questioned how contracts are awarded, alleging that decisions are driven by political influence rather than competence.

“Contracts are not given out on the basis of competence… it’s on the basis of who can get a blight from the minister,” Lovell said, adding that pricing decisions are being handled by Cabinet rather than technical experts.

Lovell said the result is poor-quality work, citing roads that have already begun to deteriorate shortly after completion.

“It is a waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.

He also took aim at what he described as politically driven social support programmes, particularly the distribution of food vouchers, arguing that benefits are not allocated fairly.

“The way in which the vouchers are distributed… it is totally unfair,” he said, claiming that only government ministers and candidates have access to them while opposition representatives do not.

Lovell argued that this creates dependency and political advantage, saying assistance should instead be based on clear criteria accessible to all citizens.

“It cannot be that I am a friend of the minister… and I get the benefit,” he said.

More broadly, he accused the administration of relying on short-term measures timed around elections rather than implementing sustainable policies.

“You have not seen any well-thought-out programmes that are going to extend over a period of time,” Lovell said, pointing to temporary tax relief measures as examples of “sweeteners” designed for electoral gain.

He also raised concerns about transparency in government decision-making, including uncertainty surrounding road projects and negotiations with overseas contractors.

“We don’t know exactly what happened… it’s a secret,” he said.

Lovell further questioned the government’s handling of external pressures, including visa restrictions affecting Antiguans and Barbudans, saying the public has not been given clear explanations or a plan of action.

“Why is this whole thing shrouded in secrecy?… what are they telling us as a people?” he asked.

On economic pressures, he challenged claims that the government is cushioning rising fuel prices, arguing that the impact has not yet been felt and that such statements are misleading.

“It’s just smoke and mirrors trying to fool people,” Lovell said.

Looking ahead, Lovell said the UPP will campaign on what he described as an “issues-driven” platform focused on lowering the cost of living, improving infrastructure and restoring fairness in public services.

“Which administration is better able to address the needs of the people… in a way that is sustainable and fair?” he said.

He added that voters dissatisfied with current conditions should not stay home on election day.

“Not voting cannot be a solution… let’s make a change and at least give the United Progressive Party an opportunity,” Lovell said.