Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has wasted no time dismissing the United Workers Party’s newly unveiled Youth SOS Plan, deeming key proposals “almost ludicrous”, “ironic”, and lacking “any basis in reality”.
Speaking at Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, the SLP leader chuckled through a point-by-point rebuttal, questioning the feasibility of the opposition’s seven-part youth empowerment pitch and highlighting what he called glaring contradictions in their record.
The UWP’s plan featured seven initiatives aimed at youth empowerment: a Mortgage Guarantee Programme, Digital Economy Development, Expansion of the National Youth Council, Appointment of Youth Ambassadors, Grants of up to $25,000 for youth businesses, a Dedicated Dennery Segment event, and Youth inclusion in major policy decisions.
Pierre first addressed the proposal for a Dennery segment event, describing it as “almost ludicrous” given the opposition’s previous criticisms of the genre.
“I’m not seeing where that makes sense,” Pierre said. “But let me go on record and say, I would support anything to help the Dennery Segment, to help any music in the country.”
Pierre also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in the opposition’s record, characterising the UWP’s previous restructuring of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival as a “downgrade”.
Turning to the proposed $25,000 youth business grants, Pierre said he found it ironic that the same party that criticised the Youth Economy Agency was now promoting similar initiatives.
“They criticised the Youth Economy as a joke,” he said. “We are the government that started youth grants for the Youth Economy.”
The Prime Minister also responded to the UWP’s youth ambassador proposal, noting that his administration has already empowered young national figures to represent the island.
He cited the government’s decision to issue a diplomatic passport to Olympic Champion Julien Alfred as part of efforts to showcase Saint Lucian excellence abroad.
On the subject of a digital economy, Pierre highlighted his administration’s existing progress, including cybersecurity training programmes and the One Laptop per Child initiative, which provides every secondary school student with a personal device.
“That’s yet another programme that was criticised by the opposition,” he added.
Pierre also sought clarity on the Mortgage Guarantee Programme, questioning how such a scheme would function and who would serve as the guarantor.
“Who would be the guarantor?” he asked, before outlining measures already in place to support home ownership. “$400,000, once you’re approved by the Saint Lucia Development Bank; no stamp duty. We’ve also said no VAT on building materials.”
Concluding his response, the Prime Minister cast doubt on the feasibility of the opposition’s plan. “I think these promises are what they are – promises,” he said. “They have no basis in reality.”
