Babonneau will elect a new parliamentary representative on 1 December, after both the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) candidate John Paul Estephane and United Workers Party (UWP) candidate Titus Preville formally filed their nominations on Friday at the Babonneau Secondary School.
Supporters from both parties marched with the candidates from their constituency officers to the nomination centre. Both men expressed confidence in a victory ahead of Saint Lucia’s fast-approaching general election.
Estephane, the first to complete his nomination, told St. Lucia Times: “I believe the Babonneau people will speak in volumes at the polls.”
He was confirmed as the SLP’s candidate in late August, replacing outgoing MP Virginia Albert-Poyotte, who has held the seat for the past four years.
Estephane said the backing he has received is a reflection of his long-standing ties to the constituency.
“I have been with the people. I am a community man, a humble person. A lot of people know me,” he said, adding that the turnout of supporters underscored the work of the SLP administration and the popularity of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
Preville made his way to the Babonneau Secondary School shortly after, to celebratory chants from UWP supporters. Addressing the crowd after confirming nomination, he said: “The people of Babonneau are intelligent; they can recognise where substance is, where honesty is, where truth is.”
In a brief speech, Preville promoted his party’s proposals, including youth-focused mortgage programmes, $25,000 business grants, measures aimed at reducing the cost of food and fuel, and universal health insurance.
He also accused the Pierre administration of failing in its governance obligations, criticising the government for not presenting Citizenship by Investment (CIP) reports. “Law breakers do not belong in the Parliament of Saint Lucia,” he declared.
Preville promised far-reaching reforms if the UWP returns to office, saying the party is “on the cusp of a revolutionary change in Saint Lucia”.
He pledged immediate action on rising living costs, including reducing fuel prices and removing the Health and Security Levy. “I have every faith in the people of Saint Lucia. We are moving forward,” he said.
