Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet says the future of his leadership of the United Workers Party (UWP) will be determined not by personal ambition, but by the will of the party membership as it continues its post-election review following the party’s crushing defeat at the polls.
Speaking candidly during an appearance on DBS Television’s Newsmaker Live last week, Chastanet acknowledged that the UWP is undergoing an internal assessment of the factors that contributed to its electoral loss and insisted that he is prepared to accept whatever decision emerges from the process.
Asked by a caller whether he intends to seek another term as leader of the party, Chastanet made it clear that the matter is not his alone to decide.
“Sir, that’s not a decision for me to make. That’s a decision for the party to make,” he said. “And as I said to you, the party is currently undertaking a review, and the decision of the leadership of the party, of the United Workers’ Party, has always been determined at a convention.”
The Opposition Leader stressed that his priority remains returning the UWP to government, even if that means stepping aside.
“And whatever is in the best interest of the party, me, Allen Chastanet, I’m speaking for myself, because you’ve spoken about leadership, I assume it’s plural, meaning that there’s more people you’re talking about, but me, Allen Chastanet, my intention is to do whatever it takes to make sure the United Workers’ Party can form the next government,” he stated.
“Whether I’m part or not part of that, that’s to be determined by the party.”
Chastanet said the ongoing review would determine whether he should bear responsibility for the election outcome.
“And exactly the statement you’re making will be evaluated. And if in fact what you’re saying is correct, that I have to bear the responsibility of the loss of the election, then I will be replaced,” he said.
The former Prime Minister also sought to distinguish his approach from that of former UWP leader Stephenson King, who aligned himself with the Saint Lucia Labour Party after the 2021 General Election.
“I will have zero difficulty, and I can make one more promise,” Chastanet declared. “And if I am replaced, you’re not going to see me on the platform of the Labour Party.”
Instead, he pledged loyalty to the party and whoever may succeed him.
“You will see me supporting whoever replaces me, because I believe in the ideology of the United Workers’ Party,” he said.
“And I believe that there are a collective group of people in the United Workers’ Party that are great representatives.”
Chastanet maintained that changing the party’s leadership, if deemed necessary, would not be a difficult decision if it improved the party’s chances of electoral success.
“And if in fact the messenger has to be changed in order for the message to get through, that’s the easiest decision to make,” he remarked.
During the interview, Chastanet also addressed concerns surrounding reports of vote-buying during the last election cycle, arguing that the government has an obligation to address allegations that arise in the public domain.
“You say that, but I want to say there’s also no proof that it didn’t happen,” he said. “And the fact is, the questions and the issues that have been raised that would suggest that that’s what’s happened, the government has a responsibility to clarify.”
He warned that a lack of confidence in the institutions charged with oversight could have wider implications for democracy and governance.
“But if we’re not trusting the institutions that have been put in charge to regulate these things, Tim, we’re in trouble,” Chastanet said.
His comments come at a critical time for the United Workers Party as members continue to examine the causes of the party’s defeat and chart a path forward. Whether Chastanet remains at the helm or a new leader emerges, the Opposition Leader insists that his commitment to the UWP and its principles remains unchanged.