Amid cheers, flags, and a sea of red in Odsan, Lisa Jawahir, on Sunday, was officially launched as the Saint Lucia Labour Party’s (SLP) endorsed candidate for the Castries South East constituency. In her maiden political platform speech, she shared a heartfelt account of her personal journey and pledged to be a voice for development, opportunity and continuity in a constituency she calls home.
“Tonight, I stand before you deeply grateful, energised, and so full of hope,” Jawahir declared. “I stand here not as someone who does not know you or your story but as a daughter of this soil – shaped by its challenges, lifted by its people, and inspired by its possibilities.”
Jawahir, who hails from Forestière, positioned her candidacy as a continuation of the Labour Party’s work in Castries South East. She paid tribute to outgoing representative Joachim Henry, saying, “Leadership is about continuity… the battle of representation in Castries South East has never been about one individual. It has been about community.”
While much of her speech focused on policy ideas and constituency development – from support for agriculture and eco-tourism to youth empowerment and infrastructural improvements – Jawahir made it clear she would not be drawn into personal attacks or political mudslinging.
“I know some are waiting to hear my response on the recent attacks made on my character…,” she said in addressing criticism she has faced, particularly from her political rival Guy Joseph, without naming him directly.
“But folks, I want to tell you something: Tonight is not the time for that. This is not the time for distractions and noise. This is not the time for division.”
Jawahir said Castries South East must look ahead, not backward. “Our people do not want the politics of yesterday,” she stated. “You cannot stay four years in hiding and come out in the fifth year just because it is an election.”
Jawahir also tied her candidacy to the broader accomplishments of the SLP government, crediting policies like the school bursary programme for changing her own life trajectory.
“I am a success story of policies that put people first,” she said. “You can be a success story that your family and your community can be proud of.”
Casting her eyes toward the future of Castries South East, Jawahir outlined a development agenda aimed at unlocking the constituency’s full potential. From upgrading sporting facilities to positioning the area as a hub for agribusiness and eco-tourism, she described the community as the “gateway” of the nation and urged residents to believe in the promise of progress under Labour’s leadership.
“When the Prime Minister rings the bell and the election is called, you will go to the polls, and you will vote for continuity… vote for your future, vote for pride, vote for progress, vote for possibility, and vote for me, Lisa Jawahir, your next parliamentary representative for Castries South East.”
