BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS the dusk settled on Monday evening (July 26), it was announced that the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) had ousted the United Workers Party (UWP) in a landslide victory at the island’s General Elections.
After a long day of voting and counting, when the results were announced, the SLP had gained 14 of the 17-seat Election, while the incumbent, UWP, won two and the other one went to Independent Candidate Stephenson King.
The UWP lost a number of seats including several in its strongholds, with only incumbent Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Bradley Felix winning.
Prime Minister-elect, Phillip Joseph Pierre thanked all of his supporters in Castries East and also those who supported him and the SLP.
Pierre said he felt vindicated with the win following a smear campaign.
He told reporters that the SLP and team intend to be a government that serves the people and have more involvement from those in civil society.
“We intend to be a government for the entire country. A government of inclusion, a government that will listen to the people; a government of tolerance and we hope to take this country out of the mire of division and conflict that it is in now,” explained Pierre.
St. Lucia has been one of the territories within the region that is severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pierre pointed out that dealing with the pandemic, dealing with the youths and the economic impact on them are some of his priority areas as he assumes office as political leader of the island.
“The youth economy was a flagship of our party and I can assure you that very shortly...It is exciting times, we know there are challenges. The country owes over $4 billion,” the Prime Minister-elect added.
This has been Pierre’s sixth victory at the polls.
