“They have a leader, he just divides.” That was former United Workers Party (UWP) MP Edmund Estephane’s assessment of current Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet as he stood on a Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) platform at a public meeting in La Caye, Dennery on November 12.
Estephane had sparked political speculation earlier in the campaign season when he briefly appeared on stage at his brother John Paul Estephane’s political debut at an SLP meeting in Babonneau. Although he was clad in red, the symbolic colour of the Labour Party, the former MP insisted at the time that he was only there in support of his brother and not switching political allegiance.
However, according to Estephane, that single appearance triggered intense backlash. He claimed to have received death threats, a development he said pushed him to reflect deeply on his political loyalties.
At the Dennery South meeting, Estephane made his political break official. He launched a scathing critique of the UWP’s leadership, singling out party leader Allen Chastanet and deputy leader Guy Joseph.
“They will never, never, never get that opportunity again. Those two guys will never run our country again – never. We gave you an opportunity. You squandered it,” Estephane said.
Estephane also used the platform to throw his weight behind the incumbent, Alfred Prospere, who is seeking re-election on the Saint Lucia Labour Party ticket. Estephane, who served as Dennery South’s MP from 2006 to 2021, made a direct appeal to constituents to return Prospere to office.
“We’ll go to the polls and vote for Alfred ‘Starbatch’ Prospere. That’s what you will do. That’s how you move forward. We not going back,” he urged.
He then turned his attention to his brother, John Paul Estephane, offering a full-throated endorsement of his candidacy for the Babonneau seat.
“I take great pride in standing by my brother. We are here for you. Este’ for all, John Paul for all,” he declared.
In a symbolic moment, Estephane removed the white top he was wearing to reveal a red shirt beneath, a visual declaration of where his political allegiance now rests.
“The mood is red,” he ended his address by saying.
