The United Workers Party (UWP) is inviting the public to contribute to its manifesto.
The party is calling on Saint Lucians to “help shape the future” and, “we want to hear from you”, the UWP said in a Facebook post on Monday.
The manifesto will be “people-powered”, the UWP vowed.
In 2021, the UWP released a ‘5 for Five’ manifesto that outlined its plans to take Saint Lucia “even further” along the path of prosperity and development.
The party said it would introduce unemployment benefits, expand monthly assistance for the needy, save parents money on school books, reduce VAT to 10% and provide medical care for all if elected for another term.
“Five years ago, we embarked on this journey with confidence and a reliance on your unswerving support throughout… We have worked with you; We have worked alongside you; We have worked for you and it is our fervent desire that you will help this United Workers Party to keep on working for the good of all St. Lucians,” the party said in their manifesto in 2021.
Furthermore, it added, with a number of successes under its belt, “We return to you, to judge our stewardship. We have not been intimidated by the stark realities of the financial, economic and social decline that confronted us on arrival, five years ago. We did not succumb to the untimely and unwelcomed arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related negative impact on our nation. In the circumstances, we spared no effort in marshalling all available resources, human and capital, to meet the challenges and to steady our nation for the future. Consequently, we are now prepared, to answer your call: ‘Let’s Keep Working!’”
The party noted that “In 2016, we gave you our Five to stay Alive to counter the effects of an inherited ailing economy, runaway unemployment, a decrepit health care system, a pitiless Value Added Tax (VAT) and more. The job is not yet over. Now, we present to you 5 For Five to build on our progress, and a clear plan for the first 100 days as we seek your support for a new term. Let’s finish the job!”
The UWP lost the election, despite their assurances.
This time around, the party is hoping to win the public over with a revised plan.
“Your voice matters. Contribute today and be part of the change! Email your ideas to manifesto@uwpstlucia.com”, the UWP said in its post on Monday.