In a moment many did not expect, former United Workers Party Deputy Leaders Gale Rigobert and Ezechiel Joseph returned to the political spotlight on November 23, endorsing the party during its General Election Manifesto Launch in La Caye, Dennery.
Their appearance followed speculation about their political allegiances.
Earlier in the night, UWP Public Relations Officer Lenard “Spider” Montoute hinted that something was on the way, telling the crowd that “all the big fish are here tonight”.
SLP Political Leader Philip J. Pierre had triggered the speculation days earlier during a public meeting in Dennery South on November 12, when he told supporters, “They [UWP] don’t know what’s coming. More coming. We have a big fish.”
Former UWP MP Edmund Estephane announced his decision at that meeting to switch allegiance and throw his support behind the SLP.
Rumours quickly swirled that either Rigobert or Joseph might be considering a similar move. Their appearance in La Caye, however, made the opposite clear: both remain firmly aligned with the UWP.
Taking to the podium, Rigobert , a former Micoud North MP and Education Minister, delivered a rallying call to supporters: “The hour is nigh. This is the moment where we reclaim the governance of this country. So on December first, you, you, and you will take ten people with you and put the ‘X’ next to the flambeau.”
Joseph, former MP for Babonneau and former Agriculture Minister, told the gathering that he felt compelled to show up despite personal challenges.
“You are going to right the wrong on the first of December. I stand here tonight to say that I’m happy to be here, despite my challenges,” he said. “The first reason I am here tonight is to endorse my political leader, our political leader, and the next Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Mr Allen Michael Chastanet.”
Joseph also addressed questions about his relationship with the UWP leader, adding, “There is no divorce between Allen and myself. We are mature individuals, we express ourselves, and we agree to disagree on a number of issues.”
He also went on to publicly endorse the party’s new candidate for Babonneau and dismissed any suggestion that he had ever wavered in his allegiance.
“I endorse Titus Preville for Babonneau… I am no political prostitute,” he declared.
