Introduction
On December 1, voters in Castries South will decide who will guide the constituency’s development for the next five years. The race pits the two against each other, one a seasoned politician, the other a newcomer with a background as a technocrat. At stake are not only party loyalties but competing visions for a district that has become a symbol of national pride and political ambition.
Geographical outline
Castries South, a constituency within Saint Lucia’s capital, has gained international attention since Ciceron native Julien Alfred won Saint Lucia’s first gold medal at the Olympic Games. The area includes key infrastructure such as the Dr Winston C.V. Parris Medical Complex (formerly Victoria Hospital), Owen King European Union Hospital and Tapion Hospital. It also encompasses Bananes Bay, a politically sensitive zone near Tapion and Hospital Road, which is expected to be impacted by the Global Port Holding redevelopment of Port Castries.
The incumbent: Dr Ernest Hilaire (Saint Lucia Labour Party)
Deputy Prime Minister Hilaire, who has represented Castries South since 2016, is seeking a third term under the Labour banner (the party has held the seat since 1997). A graduate of the University of the West Indies and Cambridge University, he holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and has held several high-profile roles, including:
- Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports
- CEO of Saint Lucia’s ICC Cricket World Cup operations
- Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information
The challenger: Tommy Descartes (United Workers Party)
Tommy Descartes, an economist and first-time candidate, hails from Ciceron. He holds degrees from the University of the West Indies and the University of Nottingham and has worked with:
- The Caribbean Development Bank (as Country Economist for Jamaica and Barbados)
- Saint Lucia’s Department of Economic Planning (as Chief Economist)
- The Ministry of Equity (as Deputy Director for Social Research)
Descartes is also a former Chevening Scholar and president of the Ciceron Seagulls Youth and Sports Club.
What they’re saying
Dr Ernest Hilaire
Hilaire has focused his campaign around legislative achievements and a record of resilience in opposition amid alleged ill-treatment by the then Allen Chastanet-led UWP administration. He argues that his tenure has still managed to deliver tangible results.
Speaking of his first term on the opposition benches, he said, “We spent five years and never got a cent. The Barre St Joseph Community Centre was not completed under the United Workers’ Party that [Descartes] is now part of.”
He urges voters to assess the visible progress. “I want persons, and certainly my constituents, to reflect on what has happened in the last four and a half years. Look at the constituency and see what has happened.”
On his proudest achievement, he cites The Tourism Development Act, saying it creates the enabling environment for transformation and sustainability. “We now have laws in Saint Lucia that actually incentivise locals to be more active in the tourism industry… Gone are the days when a developer could just get 100 per cent for everything.”
Tommy Descartes
Descartes positions himself as a fresh, relatable alternative – someone who understands the community’s needs and can deliver without distraction.
“I am able to connect to the people far more than the incumbent, even with him being a two-term MP. He’s out of touch with his people.”
He draws a contrast with past representatives. “If you look at John Odlum, Desmond Braithwaite, and even Dr [Robert] Lewis… Castries South needs someone whose public persona is not marred with all of these controversies.”
His campaign centres on youth empowerment. His ten-year development plan includes the creation of a Youth and Sports Academy aimed at helping young people leverage athletic talent into educational opportunities.
What’s at stake
The next MP for Castries South will need to tackle pressing issues such as:
- Employment generation
- Infrastructure upgrades
- Sports and social development initiatives
The race will likely hinge on which candidate can convince the electorate that he is the best person to deliver on these needs.
