RING THAT BELL! UWP Leader Challenges P.M. Anthony

Chastanet issued the call last Thursday evening at a public meeting held on William Peter Boulevard where scores of party supporters showed up to listen to nine party officials speak on a wide range of issues.

Chastanet said the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) had done a poor job in managing the island’s economy over the past four and a half years and that the SLP’s promises to the people were not kept.

Chastanet said the government’s imposition of the Value Added Tax (VAT), high unemployment and a 66% increase in the cost of pipe-borne water were among the areas that impacted the nation negatively, with many people finding it difficult to manage their households.

Chastanet, who will be contesting the Micoud South seat in the next general elections, said his party stands ready to provide good governance. The UWP, he told supporters, has come up with a package of plans and programmes aimed at benefitting Saint Lucians, including the introduction of a sectorial minimum wage.

Quoting the party’s “5 To Stay Alive” plan, Chastanet said that should it form the next government, the following measures will be implemented immediately:
• Reduction and ultimate removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Reducing vehicle licence fees by 50%
• Doubling the school feeding and transportation subsidies
• An amnesty on fees owed to Victoria and St. Jude hospitals
• Removal of personal property tax for a three-year period

Chastanet said his party will apprise Saint Lucians about the specifics of the above five and other plans in upcoming public meetings. The plans, he added, form part of the party’s 72-page manifesto.

Earlier in the night, Castries North MP, Stephenson King, told supporters that general elections would be held on June 27, prompting the thick audience into loud cheers. Chastanet also energized the crowd when he signaled his party’s readiness for the general elections.

“If the Honourable Kenny Anthony believes the people are truly happy with the state of the economy, all he has to do is ring the bell,” Chastanet said. “If Kenny Anthony believes the people see nothing wrong with the large numbers of unemployed youth sitting on the block and waiting for handouts, all he has to do is ring the bell.”

While the Prime Minister has not issued a date for the next general elections, the UWP said it is prepared to force the Prime Minister’s hand.

“”If elections are not called by June 27, we shall announce another sitting of the ‘people’s parliament’ and we will organize a vote of no-confidence march against this government,” Chastanet said.

During Thursday’s meeting some party members alluded to the fact that Prime Minister Anthony had so far not presented a budget statement to the country, as was the custom over the years.

While the opposition was meeting in Castries, the ruling Labour Party held a meeting in Choiseul in support of the candidacy of incumbent Lorne Theophilus, who captured the seat for the SLP in 2011, defeating the UWP’s Rufus Bousquet.

This time, Theophilus will be up against a newcomer, Bradley Felix who has been given the nod to carry the UWP’s flag in the constituency.

Political campaigning for the elections will continue this weekend with both parties scheduling major activities.

The UWP will launch its East Castries candidate Fortuna Belrose at the Entrepot playing Field tomorrow afternoon, while the SLP will travel to Anse la Raye/Canaries to launch John Victorin.