United Workers’ Party (UWP) Political Leader Allen Chastanet delivered a national address ahead of the December 1st general elections, urging voters to weigh the record of the current government against what he described as a bold and people-centred vision offered by the UWP.
“On the other hand, you’ve also seen what happens when the Philip Pierre administration is in charge,” Chastanet said.
He went on to criticize the administration’s performance, stating, “You’ve watched them defend rotten apples, divide us on color, and deceive the nation into believing they delivered a hospital when all we have is an incomplete building. You’ve seen increased taxes, increased crime, and increased national debt. Increased corruption, increased favoritism, increased silence, increased fear of government, declining tourism, collapsing healthcare, collapsing agriculture, and broken promises everywhere.”
Positioning the UWP’s platform as a corrective to what he described as ineffective governance, Chastanet said, “Our plan is bold because our people deserve bold. It is ambitious because our future demands ambition. Our plan removes the obstacles that prevent ordinary people from building wealth. It helps families keep more of what they earn. It lays the foundation for true independence in every home and community. Our vision is a declaration of faith in the people of St. Lucia.”
He outlined several core proposals aimed at reshaping the country’s development path. “Safer communities through stronger policing and modern technology. Lower the cost of living so you keep more of what you earn. Job creation in every community island-wide. Affordable, high-quality healthcare through national health insurance. Free tertiary education that opens doors for every young person. Thousands of new housing opportunities. Higher minimum wages for our tourism workers. And an economy powered by agriculture, agricultural processing, tourism, manufacturing, the digital economy, and the creative industries,” Chastanet said.
The UWP leader also underscored the importance of strong leadership capable of addressing national challenges. “Saint Lucia deserves leaders who think bigger, leaders who solve problems and not hide behind excuses, leaders who see possibilities, not obstacles. If a government cannot dream big, cannot plan big, cannot deliver big, then they are not fit to lead big-hearted people like us,” he said.
Chastanet concluded by expressing confidence in the feasibility of the UWP’s agenda. “Our plan is not guesswork or experimentation. It is fully costed, fully deliverable, and ready for implementation. It is this next chapter of the journey we began with you, a journey COVID interrupted. We will finish what we started, and we will rise even higher,” he said.