CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet Tuesday said the defeat of the party in Monday’s general election “is not the end of our fight for a better St. Lucia”.
UWP leader, Allen ChastanetChastanet, 65, who served as prime minister here from 2016 to 2021, had hoped to reverse the 15-2 defeat the party suffered in the July 2021 general election.
But the preliminary results of the December 1, poll, showed that the UWP had suffered an even greater defeat, with only Chastanet being able to win a seat in the 17-member Parliament.
The ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) won 14 of the 15 seats it had contested, while the two ”independent” candidates, former prime minister Stephenson King and Richard Frederick, who served as governments in the last Pierre administration, winning their seats comfortably.
In a statement, Chastanet, who won the Micoud South seat, said that “while the results were not what we hoped for, I accept them with humility, respect and an unwavering love for our country.
“I extend congratulations to Prime Minister Pierre and his team,” he said, adding that he also wanted to “thank every candidate who stood boldly under the UWP banner and every supporter who gave their time, energy and heart to this campaign.
“You lifted our message, you stood firm in difficult moments and you reminded our nation what hope looks like,” he said, thanking also the supporters of Micoud South who I consider my extended family thank you.
“Your trust, your encouragement and your steadfast support over the years have been one of the greatest honours of my life. I will always be grateful.
“It is not the end of our fight for a better Saint Lucia. It is simply a new chapter one that calls for reflection, resilience and a renewed commitment to the values we share: fairness, opportunity, unity and dignity for every St. Lucian.”
Chastanet said that while the UWP “ may not have won this election…have not lost our purpose.
“We will get back up, we will keep working and we will keep believing in the promise of this beautiful island we all call home,” he added.
