It’s a changing of the guard in St Lucia, with the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) trouncing the governing United Workers Party (UWP) in yesterday’s general election.

The SLP, led by Phillip J Pierre won 13 seats with the UWP winning just two seats with outgoing Prime Minister Allen Chastanet holding onto his Micoud South seat.

Two seats went to independent candidates including former Prime Minister Stephenson King.

The UWP bastion of Micoud North held for years by legendary Prime Minister the late Sir John Compton flipped to the SLP for the first time in 70 years, with the youngest candidate Jeremiah Norbert winning there.

Another former Prime Minister, Kenny Anthony also won his seat.

A St Lucian economist also commented: “This election can be categorized as a people’s victory – driven by the people – socially and economically deprived by the UWP administration. And likewise, efforts at voter suppression, foreign consultants and a last-minute splash of open distribution of money to anyone willing to accept was repulsed.”

Jon Delon of La Clery speaking with Our Today said: “In 2016, a lot of money came in from a big regional player to help Allen Chastanet win. When Chastanet could not deliver on that powerful organisation’s bidding, it withdrew support and Chastanet did not have the wherewithal to steer the country in the right direction. His fiscal management was woefully poor and COVID just highlighted that. People were fed up and wanted a change. It will be good to have Kenny (Anthony) return to front line politics. The new government will need him.”

Mary Pierce of Vieux Fort said: “Chastanet is a nationalist and was determined to drag St Lucia into the 21st century with progressive ideas. The people are just not ready yet for that kind of vision. He was the natural successor to John Compton and a man for the times. He must now lead the Opposition and plan to return as Prime Minister. St Lucia needs him.”

It may well have been a case that voters were not happy with the government’s management of the COVID crisis with St Lucians coming under financial and inflationary pressure not to mention the country’s healthcare shortcomings.

The ebullient Dominic Fedee, the young minister of tourism lost his seat and will now be out in the cold. He may now return to Sandals Resorts where he was a favoured employee.

Addressing the country after his victory Phillip J. Pierre, Prime Minister-elect said: “If there ever was a time our country needed us, that time is now. In our country today, there is an atmosphere of hopelessness and despair. In recent days, we have heard the voices of our people speaking out against the pervasive injustice, corruption and vindictiveness of this government. Our country needs us to lift us out of this abyss.”

In his concession speech, outgoing Prime Minister Allan Chastanet, accepting defeat, said thanked all his supporters over the last five years of his governance.

See full statement below:

“Let me start by thanking all the supporters of the United Workers Party who stood with me and our Government in this election and over the last five years. We have stayed focused and strong. That is UWP.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers always, for me, my family and for my colleagues. It was truly a privilege to serve you as Prime Minister. It was also a special honour to serve with a remarkable team of men and women. I am proud of the slate we put forward during this campaign. I also thank our UWP Party chairman, the executive, and the other hardworking people who form part of TEAM WORKERS. Once again thanks to all the voters who showed their love for our party.

I believe that everything we have done is to put Saint Lucia on the right footing to true progress and our policies will continue to benefit Saint Lucians from all walks of life. If there is one thing that remains true as you look around our island, is the work of the UWP is present in both our country’s physical development and the development of our people.
I know the results came as a shock to many of you, still I call on you pridefully to continue to hold the torch up high. We will take time to heal, regroup and keep the Flambeau flame burning.

No one person can define our historic party for us. We know in our hearts the core values that have carried us through: honesty, respect, teamwork and commitment.

I can inform that I have called the new Prime Minister Elect to congratulate him and I wish him the best.
I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Micoud South and I congratulate my brother Bradly Felix and all our candidates who put up an amazing fight. We still have to keep working.

The United Workers Party is bigger than any one person. We all love this country. Let us pray for peace and tranquility in Saint Lucia, as we do our part as good citizens to see progress continue.

Stay strong, stay united. May God continue to bless our island home. I thank you.”