United Workers Party (UWP) political leader Allen Chastanet has acknowledged growing questions about his leadership as the party prepares for its national convention following two consecutive election defeats that have left it with just one seat in Parliament.
Speaking at a UWP press conference on August 25, Chastanet admitted that the party’s internal structures require attention and said members must carefully consider how any changes are introduced.
“There are clearly things that the party structures within the party that we need to look at,” Chastanet said.
He questioned whether the party should proceed with a convention before addressing the issues that have emerged.
“And do you go to a convention without fixing the things that you think are a problem?” he asked.
Chastanet openly acknowledged that his own position at the head of the party is among the issues being debated.
“And let’s not run away from the situation right now. There’s significant questions about my leadership. And that’s fair. That’s a fair question,” he said.
He suggested that uncertainty over the leadership could affect the willingness of some members to move forward with other aspects of the party’s restructuring.
“And some people will get into a position where they don’t want to move forward until that matter is settled or can’t work in what we call parallel, you know, not necessarily in a critical, a critical, a critical path,” Chastanet said.
He nevertheless expressed confidence that the party’s internal processes would determine the way forward.
“And that will be determined. I trust the processes that we have to move forward,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said any attempt to reform the UWP must be handled carefully, warning that change can be difficult in any organisation.
“Change in any institution, whether it’s government, whether it’s in your home, whether it’s in your business, and in a political party, always comes difficult,” he said.
Chastanet argued that party members need to support proposed changes if they are to succeed.
“And you have to be very cautious on how you bring about change. You need to get buy-in to what that change is going to be,” he said.
His comments come as the UWP faces the consequences of its reduced parliamentary representation following the latest election, with the party now holding only one seat in the House of Assembly.
Chastanet described the reduction in parliamentary representation as a major organisational and financial challenge for the party.
“You know, it’s a double whammy because we have down to one seat,” he said.
Under the current arrangement, only one UWP parliamentarian is entitled to resources for an opposition office, leaving the party responsible for financing any additional opposition operations.
“So only one person is getting any level of resources to have an office. There’s no other opposition offices,” Chastanet said.
“All the other opposition offices, if we have any, would have to be funded by the party.”
He said the financial implications add another layer to the challenges facing the organisation.
“So it’s a big change that we have to address,” he said.
With the national convention approaching, the UWP is therefore facing questions over both its leadership and its wider organisational direction, as the party considers how to rebuild after its successive electoral setbacks.