Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet delivered a scathing critique of Prime Minister Philip J Pierre’s administration on Sunday, accusing the Labour Party (SLP) of failing to deliver on its promises.
“There’s no amount of lies that the people of Saint Lucia are going to listen to anymore,” Chastanet said at a meeting in Anse la Raye/Canaries. “The Labour Party and Philip Pierre are calling the election, not because they want to call the election, but because they cannot finish the hospital,” Chastanet claimed, highlighting the administration’s ‘shortcomings’.
He also questioned the government’s handling of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP): “If you made $240 million, why did you leave the two and a half percent levy on? Why are you leaving gas prices high?” Chastanet inquired.
The UWP leader said that his party would address these issues if elected. “When you elect the United Workers Party into government, we will find your money and deliver it to you. We will ensure that the people in the south have a proper hospital,” he said.
Chastanet emphasized that “This election is not just about red or yellow. It’s about the difference between right and wrong. It’s delivery over deception. It’s progress over excuses. There’s only one party in Saint Lucia that has (the) solution and a plan to give to the people of Saint Lucia… that is why on December 1, we must all come out and make sure we don’t make the mistake again of allowing the Labour Party to stay in government.”
UWP candidate for Anse La Raye/Canaries, Dominic Fedee, echoed Chastanet’s sentiments, telling supporters, “This election is (ours) to win.”
“December 1 will be Liberation Day, and December 2 will be a national holiday,” Fedee declared.
He urged the MP for Anse La Raye/Canaries to return his salary to constituents, claiming he had failed to deliver. “Wayne Girard has failed the people of Canaries. You cannot say that you have done the job and you’ve been absent. You cannot say that you care about the wealth and prosperity of this constituency when you’ve never shown up. You cannot say that you have performed when you have been away for 90% of your time,” Fedee stated.
“We need Wayne Girard gone for good from this constituency and extricated from the politics of Saint Lucia,” he told the gathering.
Fedee said that at upcoming meetings, “I will be launching a manifesto that will outline our plan for Anse La Raye/Canaries; we have consulted every single nook and cranny… hearing from the people.” He added, “We will put together a document, a social and economic contract for Anse La Raye/Canaries, and we hope that both political parties can work together to determine the future.”
The UWP has promised to deliver a comprehensive plan to address the country’s challenges, including reducing taxes, lowering gas prices, and improving healthcare.