Philip J. Pierre has etched his name into Saint Lucian political history – securing a record seventh consecutive term as Member of Parliament for Castries East while simultaneously steering the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) to a resounding 14-1 victory in the December 1, 2025, general election.
On Monday night, speaking from the verandah of his constituency office in Marchand, the 71-year-old Prime Minister struck a tone of gratitude and resolve.
“I want to thank the people who worked with me, and the people who caused that victory to be possible. It is because of them… they are the ones who made that victory possible,” Pierre said, underscoring what he called a “special relationship” with Castries East.
That bond, he added, has only deepened since his first campaign in 1997.
“There are some people who have worked with me in my campaign from 1997 and they’re still there with me. I want to thank all of them, I want to thank my family, I want to thank the men and women of the Saint Lucia Labour Party.”
Pierre lamented the personal attacks endured by his daughter during the campaign, calling them a low point in Saint Lucian politics.
“I feel very sad that Saint Lucian politics reached the depth it reached in the last four and a half years. I hope that no opposition party ever stoops to those limits.”
Pierre extended an olive branch to the opposition, congratulating Allen Chastanet, the lone United Workers Party (UWP) candidate to retain a seat.
“There is a place in the Parliament for the opposition, and we will move forward and work moving forward together,” the Prime Minister said.
Humbly accepting the mandate, Pierre reflected on his journey from parliamentary representative to minister and Prime Minister, crediting former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony for first bringing him into Cabinet.
“So right now, we have work to do. We have to move forward together because this country is on the right trajectory, and we have to move forward.”
He paid tribute to public servants, especially doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, and correctional officers, praising their tireless service.
Looking ahead, Pierre promised swift action, saying, “We have to do a few things, we have to get the VAT-free day going and I want to tell public servants that they will get their back pay as promised. Next year, we’re moving forward to get this country going.”
Pierre is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister by the end of the week, with his new Cabinet to follow shortly thereafter.
