The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) successfully held its ‘Walk of Progress’ on Sunday, drawing massive support from all 17 constituencies.
The walk culminated at the Castries Market, where the SLP’s parliamentary representatives addressed the gathering.
Prime Minister and SLP leader Philip J. Pierre emphasized the need for unity in the nation; the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) objected to the event, dismissing it as a mere ‘smokescreen’ to divert attention from real issues.
However, PM Pierre dismissed these claims and reiterated the importance of unity in the nation.
“There are certain things we have to work on together. We cannot continue to divide the country. We cannot continue these personal attacks,” PM Pierre asserted.
“This is a democracy and there is room for an opposition. There always will be an opposition,” the prime minster added.
Former UWP leader Stephenson King, now a minister in the SLP administration, addressed speculations about early elections, stating that the event was to demonstrate the SLP’s achievements at the “midpoint” stage and what is likely to come in the remaining two years.
Despite opposition claims, the SLP made it clear that the ‘Walk for Progress’ was intended to highlight the government’s accomplishments in office and was not a precursor to an early election.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire affirmed the government’s commitment to delivering further progress in tourism and infrastructure, stating that the event was a reaffirmation of their work, not a gauge for elections.
At a media briefing on Monday, Dr Hilaire stated that despite the ‘naysayers’ projecting the country as being in a state of despair and gloom, “there are a significant number of people in this country that are aware of the work that is being done and the progress that is being made, and they came out (Sunday).”