Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is confident that his Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) will not only be re-elected in the next general election but will secure a sweeping victory, winning all 17 seats in Parliament.
His prediction of a landslide victory comes amid calls from the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) for elections to be called, citing rising crime and economic hardships that it claims Saint Lucians are experiencing. The next poll is constitutionally due by July next year.
Though not directly responding to the calls, Prime Minister Pierre told St Lucia Times in Barbados, where he is attending the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, that his administration is well-positioned to be convincingly returned to power.
“Anytime we have elections, my party will win all the 17 seats. We’ve worked hard, we’ve transformed Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia for the last three years has experienced economic growth [and] unemployment is at its lowest,” he declared.
“In terms of the development of Saint Lucia, in terms of where Saint Lucia is going, in terms of investment, in terms of the economic performance, my government deserves – and we think the people have agreed that we deserve – re-election.”
Speaking on the country’s progress under his leadership, Pierre noted that unemployment is at its lowest levels in recorded history, with youth unemployment dropping from between 38 and 40 per cent when his party came to office to 18 per cent currently—a figure he acknowledged is still too high but remains the lowest on record.
“Unemployment generally is at 11 per cent. For the last three quarters, unemployment has remained at 11 per cent, and with the investment that is happening now, we believe that unemployment will reach single digits, probably if not later this year, early next year,” he said. “So I’m confident.”
Prime Minister Pierre also pointed out his administration’s strong fiscal management, stating that his government inherited a primary deficit but has since turned it into a primary surplus. He promised to provide further details on this surplus during the upcoming budget debate at the end of March.
He contended that the overall development under his administration justifies the SLP being given another term. The political leader asserted that the people of Saint Lucia have already shown their approval, referencing the ‘Walk for Progress’ demonstration last August which he described as one of the largest public shows of support for a government in the Caribbean.
The participation of thousands of supporters has reinforced his belief that his party is on track for victory.
The prime minister acknowledged that, like other countries, Saint Lucia faces a crime challenge, particularly gang-related crime, which many other nations in the region are also experiencing.
However, he stressed that his administration is taking action to address this.
Pierre said his government has allocated significant resources to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, adding that this year, 119 additional officers have been recruited, with another 160 expected by the end of the year.
Pierre also spoke about the plans for a new state-of-the-art police headquarters, “the most modern in the region”, at a cost of $40 million.
“So I’m very confident that we will win the next elections, and I’m very confident that 15-2 majority may turn into 17-0 if the seats are not extended,” the prime minister said.
Ha Ha Ha in your dreams.
Every policitican before an election is confident they will win in external statements. What is said internally is another thing. But as for my vote, I am staying with PJP. The oppositon has not given me a reason to vote against PJP.
The opposition wasted time on CIP scandals and Richard Frederick. None of these are deal breakers for me. Voting for me is personal. They have yet to give me a reason to vote out PJP.
I can’t vote for Chas because
1) The man is a ‘******’ (quoting Rick Wayne)
2) Like PJP I am financially conservative. Chas has proven that he will spend $40 Million on any given Monday. At one point he said that true debt-to-GPA ratio should be 125%
3) I love black history, independence, Caribbean history, emmancipation – Chas can’t relate, he is always absent from these
4) I will not contrubute to this cycle of always changing admins after one term
Best laugh I’ve had for weeks. Thank you!
Yh sure.. the road in Rodney bay has been absolutely abandoned for years now, can’t even finish a roundabout, killings every other day and the government has no control over it. The police self only good for giving ticket in town, he only decide to do something as elections coming up. Smh
Cho ! You don’t have to tell them most Honorable. What will they run on ?? They are going to hit you on crime but they never ever have a crime and plan…… the world is a different place today compare to 4 years ago so much is happening that will affect us just now so they can come with whatever we are in serious times our very own existence is at stake. Food security is a big deal. DHS is eggs in their faces what do they have to tell St Lucian’s now ……Really ??? O Really now ??? We are still waiting for the return of our Covid money. Oh welll
how many women gone under this administration by men unaliving them? too many. get these women haters out!
Mr. Pierre I have not heard the policies of the opposition so for the time I am supporting you. And if it is Allen , Guy and Dominic who are at the forefront of UWP I can NEVER vote for them.
This government has failed StLucians.Why should we give them a second term when crime is on the rise,cost of living has gotten worse with the 2.5 levy they imposed,health is at its worse and the list goes on.Why should we vote for you when everything its at its worse.
Anonymous, who are we going to replace SLP with? The Lucian masses don’t want Allen and Guy. And I don’t think Allen should ever lead St. Lucia again.
@Troy Francis that is your opinion.Do not speak for St Lucians.They can make their own determination when the time comes and for the records Chas was a better PM than PJP by far.