Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, the outgoing representative for Babonneau, has thrown her full support behind John Paul Estephane, the Labour Party’s candidate for the constituency.Â
Speaking at a community meeting this week, Dr. Albert-Poyotte expressed confidence in Estephane, saying he will “come with new ideas.”
She also reminded residents of the Labour Party’s achievements, telling them, “The Labour Party has done many things for the people… and you must not behave like you forget.”
Dr. Albert-Poyotte’s endorsement comes after she was replaced by Estephane as the SLP’s candidate for the constituency. Despite the change, she emphasized her continued support for the party and its new candidate.
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre also addressed the gathering. “The United Workers Party has not changed,” Pierre warned, adding that the UWP’s National Health Insurance (NHI) plan promises $75,000 in annual health coverage without explaining how it would be funded.
He urged Saint Lucians to hold the opposition accountable for their actions, saying, “They were there before, and you must ask them to show us what they did in the time they were in government; the Labour Party can show you what we did in our four years.”
Pierre also criticized the UWP’s plan to make Sir Arthur Lewis Community College tuition-free if elected. “That is the same man who said that Sir Arthur Lewis was a waste of time,” Pierre said. “That was the same man who said that at Sir Arthur Lewis they are giving too many subjects.”
In contrast, Pierre highlighted the Labour Party’s achievements in education, noting that “We paid for two CXC subjects, now we are paying for four. When you elect us, we are going to pay for five.”
Pierre added that every child deserves access to higher education: “Education must not only be for people who are rich… education is for everyone,” he said.