A clarion call to prepare for the ballot box, warnings of looming misinformation, triumphant references to the handover of the St Jude Hospital, and moments of worship framed the agenda of the Saint Lucia Labour Party’s (SLP) National Gospel Concert last night.
With just two weeks remaining before Saint Lucia’s general election, SLP candidates joined local gospel artistes on stage at the Vieux Fort Recreation Park, offering glowing tributes to party leader Philip J. Pierre and political admonitions of the opposition.
Reflecting on the handover of the St Jude Hospital, the ceremony of which was held just hours before the concert, Lisa Jawahir, the SLP candidate for Castries South-East, told supporters: “This occasion is bigger than politics…” She continued: “Tonight, as a young woman entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the next chapter of our nation. I feel inspired, inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, inspired by his strength and inspired by the resilience of the people of the south and of Saint Lucia.”
Pierre’s own address carried a tone of warning as he urged supporters to brace for an escalation in political rhetoric.
“These next two weeks are going to be the most important two weeks in the history of Saint Lucia,” Pierre said. He then shared his own prediction that Saint Lucia will see the “nastiest politics” from the UWP opposition, who at the time of the concert were holding a national rally on William Peter Boulevard.
To counter pushback from his opponents, Pierre said the SLP will ramp up its own campaigning. “I’m putting my candidates on notice that they must work harder. From tomorrow, we must all work harder…”
The prime minister briefly highlighted policies his administration has sought to advance in recent years, including the one university graduate per household initiative, and the pledge that “every child should go to a preschool free of charge”.
The SLP is expected to unveil its full manifesto on 25 November at the SAB in Vigie.
The general election is scheduled for December 1.
