Senator Michael Joseph, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party candidate for St. John’s Rural West, has announced immediate playground construction in two communities and pledged $10,000 to the New Gen Band in the party’s first political rally of the 2026 general election campaign.

Speaking at the party’s campaign rally at Knuckle Block on Thursday evening, Joseph told supporters he would begin building a playground in Five Islands today Friday, with a second playground for Keithley Sheppard Field to follow shortly after.

“I made a commitment to the people of Five Islands Primary School, Five Islands Village, that I will be delivering a playground to them,” Joseph said.

Joseph also revealed he has spent the last three months paying for mathematics and English teachers to support students in the constituency, citing struggles with core subjects as his motivation.

“Many people don’t know this, but I’ve spent the last three months paying for teachers to teach maths and English because I know our students struggle with maths and English,” he said.

The candidate, who currently serves as a senator and is seeking to unseat incumbent Richard Lewis in the constituency, used the rally to announce a $10,000 personal contribution to the New Gen Band, framing the donation as part of his investment in culture and youth development.

Joseph presented his manifesto, titled “Bold Vision Rural West,” which outlines his development plans for the constituency.

He emphasised accessibility and accountability, promising regular town hall meetings if elected.

“I intend to make sure that we have regular town hall meetings in this constituency because you need to be a part of what happens down here,” Joseph said. “You need to tell me as your representative what needs to be done and the decisions that we need to fight for.”

The rally, held ahead of the April 30th general election, also featured addresses from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Party Chairman E.P. Chet Green, and several other ABLP parliamentarians.