The United Workers Party (UWP) has rejected Allen Chastanet’s decision to step down as political leader, following a meeting of the National Council on December 8.
In a press release issued on Monday, the UWP said the Council reached a clear and unanimous decision “not to accept the resignation at this time”.
Last week, the UWP confirmed Chastanet’s decision, saying, “It is to be formally tabled for consideration by the National Executive” – the UWP’s highest decision-making body.
Chastanet had clarified that while he’d stepped down from the role, “My dedication to the people of Micoud South remains unchanged.”
“Rest assured that you will be an integral part of any decision made about my next steps politically or otherwise,” he said in a December 7 Facebook post.
As of press time, Chastanet had not provided an update on his plans. However, he had acknowledged the election results, saying, “I accept them with humility, respect and an unwavering love for our country.”
He emphasized, “It is not the end of our fight for a better Saint Lucia. It is simply a new chapter, one that calls for reflection, resilience and a renewed commitment to the values we share: fairness, opportunity, unity and dignity for every Saint Lucian. We may not have won this election, but we have not lost our purpose.”
Chastanet will continue to serve as party’s leader until the next convention.
The UWP says it remains committed to serving the public interest, “strengthening our organization and working constructively toward our shared goals.”
This is not the first time Chastanet has stepped down from the role.
In 2021, he resigned from the position after the UWP lost to the SLP, noting that “I was the political leader and I must accept full responsibility for the loss of the election; I do believe that if in fact the party had lost confidence in me I must give them the opportunity to make that change.”
“I also want to say that my letter of resignation stays on the table until the next convention. So at the next convention, depending on the results of the report that is being done, at that point I will make a determination as to whether I will put my hat in for leadership of the party or whether in fact we believe it is time to make a change and put a new face at the helm,” he told reporters.