UPP 'Defending The Nation'

There was a tidal wave of blue at Justice Square last night as supporters witnessed the long-awaited unveiling of the United Progressive Party manifesto.
Following its 2004 manifesto, dubbed “Agenda for Change,” the UPP presented its 2009 promises, titled “Defending the Nation”.

Incumbent St John's Rural East MP Dr Errol Cort said it includes several programmes to cushion the effects of the international financial crisis.

"We are prepared to suspend the income tax if the country cannot withstand the effects of the global downturn, giving citizens more dispensable income," he said.

Dr Cort said the UPP has also already negotiated with commercial banks to ensure that are no foreclosures of homes within the twin-island state.

“The corporation tax will be reduced to 22.5 percent if banks give mortgages of no more than 7 percent," Dr Cort said. "This is to ensure that each person can afford a home."

Stamp duty on residential homes will be further reduced to $2 per 1,000 square feet, he noted.

Having made it to the UK's white list, the finance minister said, would allow the country to tap into that world power's vibrant gaming industry.

The manifesto also highlights areas intended to become duty free shopping districts, and the privatization of statutory bodies such as the airport authority, State Insurance Corporation, and the electricity and telecommunications divisions of APUA.

“Defending the Nation” also outlines the establishment of a Pension [Manifesto night] Modernization Commission, the paying off of over a billion dollars in
retroactive payments, and the extension of the National School Meals Programme from primary to secondary schools.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wilmoth Daniel said the UPP, once re-elected, would continue its rigorous social elevation campaign.

Daniel promised that the mistakes made before would not be repeated.
“When you come to our office to us we will have to see you, when you call us we must answer," he said.

Daniel, in one his final opportunities to rally support before the March 12 elections, called on nationals to vote for the UPP once they believed in the party’s fundamental values, whether they liked a particular candidate or not.

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