Deputy Leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire spoke to the media during the weekly pre-cabinet presser, addressing what he described as troubling trends in the campaign style of the opposition United Workers’ Party.
“The United Workers’ Party campaign is not even run by Saint Lucians. It’s not even run by Saint Lucians. Plain and simple,” he said.
He contrasted this with the Labour Party’s campaign, which he said is grounded in local leadership and expertise.
“I can tell you the Saint Lucia Labour Party campaign is run by the Central Labour Party and by our people. Slogans, designs, everything is run by the solution. People, Labour Party operators, surrogates, the leadership of the Labour Party,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also raised concerns about the extensive use of foreign artistes by the UWP in their campaign events.
“I have a beef with foreign artists that has been used coming in and performing, virtually in Saint Lucia. So I do have a slight issue with that,” he stated. He said that Saint Lucia’s own creative sector is fully capable of supporting election campaigns.
“I think our creative sector has grown so much that we have artists that are international, artists that can carry those campaigns and we don’t need to go external. I don’t know anybody I can bring in to Sennosha to perform that can be better than the artists we have in Sennosha for the purposes of our campaign.”
Dr Hilaire also referenced the historical context of foreign artistes in campaigns, recalling earlier instances.
“I can remember the first foreign artist in a campaign in Saint Lucia, Papa San, or me who played in field. I can remember that day when that was first done. But we want to use Saint Lucia. We believe the quality of artists we have in Saint Lucia is good enough for a campaign. We don’t need to go foreign.”
He argued that the UWP’s approach was concerning because it allegedly introduced elements that do not reflect the values of local politics.
“What makes it even more appalling is the fact that the importance of for the campaign that is entirely foreign. I mean this appeal to gang culture and gang moves and those things, that’s not how we campaign in solution. That’s just not who we are. And that’s a new element that you see,” he said.
Dr Hilaire reiterated the Labour Party’s commitment to homegrown talent and a solutions-focused campaign. “Come December 1st and mark my words, this will be made in Saint Lucia,” he said, signaling the party’s intent to rely on local leadership, creatives, and ideas in the run-up to the general election.