The United Workers’ Party officially launched its manifesto on November 23rd, outlining what it described as a focused and corrective plan for Saint Lucia ahead of the December 1st general election.
The event brought together key candidates, party supporters and a surprise guest, former Babonneau MP Ezechiel Joseph, who made his first major public appearance since leaving office.
UWP Castries South candidate Tommy Descartes told supporters that the party’s proposals place strong emphasis on financial discipline, accountability and relief for citizens who are struggling with rising costs.
He said, “That is why the manifesto commits to minimising wastage in government operations, strengthening accountability and generating real savings through efficiency and sound decision making. Every dollar, and I repeat, every dollar must work harder, stretch further, delivering more and serving the people with greater impact.”
Descartes added that reducing the tax burden would be a top priority if the UWP forms the next government.
“One of our top priorities will be to reduce the tax burden that families and businesses are currently struggling under as soon as we get into power. You see, when people keep what they earn, when people keep more of what they earn, they are better able to support themselves, invest in their futures and improve their standard of living. That is how we build strong and resilient economies from the ground up.”
He said the party would create reliable revenue streams to support national priorities.
“Dedicated funding will support essential initiatives such as road rehabilitation, ensuring that infrastructure keeps a pace with our ambition. We will continue to strategically utilize CIP resources, not only to reduce national debt, but to invest in modern infrastructure, expand housing opportunities and support on lending to the businesses and startups in our country.”
Opposition Leader and UWP Political Leader Allen Chastanet delivered a strongly worded address, criticizing the current administration and accusing it of mismanagement. He charged that the government used the St Jude Hospital project as, what he called, a political tool rather than a functioning health facility.
“They turned St Jude Hospital into a political prop, hosting ceremonies for an empty building without doctors, without equipment, and without care.”
Chastanet also expressed concern about public borrowing and the management of state assets.
“They’ve borrowed over one billion dollars in the last three years. We borrowed just under 300 million dollars from 2016 to 2019. They’ve given away our ports for a dollar. One dollar. The same ports our grandparents built, that our parents maintain, and that should belong to your children. They sold it for one dollar. And after all of the destruction, after all of this pain, what is their plan to fix it?”
He called on supporters to resist political intimidation.
“Tonight, we have said no more to the handouts. Over the past five years, this administration has destroyed not just everything we built, but they have destroyed our democracy. Every time they tear down a billboard, every time they rip down a poster, every time they try to stop somebody from speaking, remember, it is not an attack on the United Workers’ Party, it is an attack on the democracy of St. Lucia.”
The UWP leader accused the government of attempting to silence opposing voices.
“This Labour Party, what they want is a one party state. They do not want anybody to stand up to them. No one. No opposition, no civil society and no church, no religion in our country. Because that is how one party states work.”
He told the audience that hostility does not address the island’s growing challenges.
“Hatred cannot put food on people’s plates. Hatred cannot solve the problems of crime in this country. Hatred cannot bring down the cost of living in this country. Hatred does not build roads and infrastructure for the people of our community. Hatred will not develop the South. The only person that has shown that he is able to put food on people’s plates, to solve the crime problems in this country, to develop the South is Allen Shastney and a United Workers’ Party.”
One of the night’s most notable moments came from former Babonneau MP Ezechiel Joseph, who received loud applause upon taking the stage. Joseph told supporters that despite personal challenges, he felt compelled to publicly endorse his party.
“On the first of December, what are you going to do? On the first of December, what are you going to do? You are going to right the wrong on the first of December.”
He said he returned to the stage for two reasons. “I stand here tonight to tell you I came here for two major reasons. The first one is to endorse my political leader, our political leader, and the next Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Mr. Allen Michael Chastanet. And of course, extension, to endorse all of his candidates and to ask you to support them. On the first of December, you have to go out there and vote.”
Former Castries South East MP and UWP Deputy Leader Guy Joseph also addressed what he described as failures in the housing sector.
“The UWP is ready to correct the neglect of the housing sector. And I want you to remember, Labour Party said in their 2011 manifesto, Richard Frederick was the worst housing minister ever in the history of St. Lucia. Yet they gave him the Ministry of Housing and he has failed more miserably on the lever than he failed.”
He then outlined the UWP’s proposed direction for housing. “Permit me to therefore present an outline of the bold and comprehensive housing program designed to deliver quality, affordable homes. Not the plywood shacks that they built in Dennery, not the plywood city that Richard Frederick is building in Castries. We are going to build quality houses for the people of St. Lucia.”
The UWP’s manifesto launch signals the intensifying political climate as the island enters the final stretch toward the December 1st general election. The party’s leadership has framed the election as a decisive moment for the country’s direction, urging supporters to mobilize and vote.