Nearly four years ago, the Saint Lucia Labour Party under Philip J. Pierre promised hope, growth, and good governance. They vowed to stabilize the economy, support families, create jobs, and restore transparency. Instead, what we have witnessed is a government steeped in failure, mismanagement, suspected corruption, and petty politics, dragging the nation into deeper crisis.
Since taking office, the Pierre administration has recklessly added nearly $973 million to the national debt, burdening future generations with crippling financial obligations. The economy is in free fall. The once-proud agriculture sector has collapsed. It shrank by 17% in 2023, with banana production down over 40%—a catastrophic blow to rural communities and food security. Inflation and artificially inflated fuel prices have pushed the cost of living through the roof, while ordinary Saint Lucians bear the brunt of new taxes like the 2.5% Health and Security Levy. The government’s economic mismanagement has left families struggling and businesses suffocating.
Tourism, the lifeblood of our economy, has only just begun to surpass pre-pandemic 2019 arrival numbers last year. Yet, room nights and visitor spending remain down, signalling weak recovery. Instead of focusing on effective, year-round marketing of the entire Saint Lucia tourism product, the government’s priority has been flashy events and festivals. This short-sighted approach neglects the broader tourism potential and fails to deliver sustainable growth or economic benefits to the wider population.
Behind closed doors, “secret deals” and corruption scandals have become the norm. The Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), once a pillar of hope, is now a symbol of greed and deceit. Billions in passport sales remain unaccounted for. Projects like the Caribbean Galaxy hotel in Vieux-Fort and the Beemax CIP housing project in Rock Hall, Castries—in the Prime Minister’s own backyard—are stalled, abandoned, or mired in scandal. The government’s attempt to use taxpayer money to settle a RICO lawsuit linked to CIP corruption exposes a shocking disregard for accountability and justice.
The infamous GPH deal handed over control of our vital cruise ports for up to 40 years in exchange for a paltry $147 million investment, sacrificing nearly $1 billion in forecasted revenue. The Hall of Justice, the Bananes land sale scandal, the controversial $80 million National Lottery Authority loan, and the bungled housing assistance program paint a picture of a government riddled with cronyism and incompetence.
Vital projects that could have transformed communities have been abandoned or stalled indefinitely, costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. The government claims these stoppages were due to mismanagement or corruption by the previous administration, yet after nearly four years, they have failed to substantiate a single one of these allegations. Similarly, the Special Prosecutor appointed about two years ago has not laid one charge against members of the previous UWP administration—another waste of our scant state resources.
The Choc and Tavern housing projects, the St. Jude Hospital, the Hewanorra Airport redevelopment, the cruise home port in Vieux-Fort, the Rodney Bay Highway, and key road rehabilitation projects like the Esperance to Diamond road in Soufriere lie in disrepair or limbo. Several brand-new community centers remain closed, including the two in Roblot and Piaye in Choiseul-Saltibus, a constituency represented by opposition parliamentarian, Hon. Bradley Felix, denying communities access to vital facilities.
Healthcare under this administration is in crisis. Hospitals and health centers face severe shortages of medication, supplies, and essential equipment. Experienced medical professionals are leaving in droves, seeking greener pastures overseas. While the government prioritizes fetes, festivals, and events, the health of the people deteriorates. The system is overwhelmed, and patients suffer needlessly.
Public safety has deteriorated to alarming levels. Since July 2021, approximately 300 people have been murdered, a staggering average of nearly 80 homicides per year. Yet this government has failed to stabilize and instill confidence in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force by appointing a Police Commissioner on a long-term basis. The reckless early removal of COVID-19 protections emboldened lawlessness and contributed to this surge in violence. Meanwhile, their mishandling of the pandemic led to over 400 avoidable deaths, a tragic indictment of this government’s incompetence. The number of freak fatal accidents, particularly vehicular accidents, has also risen, compounding the nation’s grief and frustration.
Now, with elections looming, this administration is desperately rushing to complete projects, handing out token tax breaks and cash handouts in a transparent attempt to buy votes. But Saint Lucians are not fooled. Failure, corruption, mismanagement, and incompetence should not be rewarded with another term in office—they must be rejected outright.
This government has betrayed the trust of the people. It has enriched insiders, abandoned communities, and sold off national assets while ordinary citizens suffer. The time has come for Saint Lucians to demand real leadership—leaders who prioritize transparency, accountability, and the well-being of all, not just a privileged few.
The Philip J. Pierre administration’s tenure has been a disaster. It is time to fire this failed government and chart a new course for our nation’s future.