UWP wins General Elections
Castries, St Lucia: The United Workers Party (UWP) has been declared the winner of the 2016 general elections, after claiming 11 of the 17 constituency seats.
The ‘Flambeau’ will now form Saint Lucia’s new government, after the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) only managed to win six constituency seats.
Allen M. Chastanet secured 2,495 votes to his opponent’s 1,446 to become the next Member of Parliament (MP) of Micoud South.
But the biggest win for the night was in Gros-Islet, where former minister, Lenard ‘Spider’ Montoute crushed SLP’s Emma Hippolyte, by winning 6,344 votes to her 4,552.
Former Prime Minister, Stephenson King also won his Castries North seat by a massive margin, obtaining 3,774 votes to the 1,482 of the SLP’s John Charlery.
Newcomers, Dominic Fedee and Bradley Felix also surprised the nation by wining their seats in Anse La Raye/Canaries and Choiseul/ Saltibus respectively.
Former minister Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Herod Stanislaus, Edmund Estaphane, Guy Joseph and Ezechiel Joseph also won their respective constituencies.
SLP’s Political leader, Kenny Anthony regained his Vieux Fort South seat, gaining 2,439 votes, and SLP Deputy Political leader Philip J. Pierre gained 2,901 votes to secure another win.
Alva Baptiste also won the Laborie seat by 2,094 to 1,468 votes, while Ernest Hilaire, Moses Jn Baptiste and Shawn Edward also won their respective constituencies.
This year’s election saw a small voter turnout, the same as the 2011 general election.
Dr. Kenny Anthony Concedes
The following is a statement issued by Dr. Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of St.Lucia
“On behalf of the Saint Lucia Labour Party and also on my personal behalf, I congratulate Mr. Allen Chastanet, Leader of the United Workers Party on his victory at the polls today, June 6, 2016.
On all accounts, this was a convincing victory. It is clear there was a major national swing against the Saint Lucia Labour Party.
I wish the people of Saint Lucia the very best as we embark on this new journey.
As to my future, I do not intend to serve as the Leader of the Opposition and indeed, Political Leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party. I will, however, continue to serve my constituents of Vieux-Fort South and support my other Parliamentary colleagues in their various constituencies as they seek to protect the interests of their constituents.
I am deeply grateful for the honour of serving the people of Saint Lucia as Prime Minister for nearly three terms.
My special thanks to the people of Vieux-Fort South for electing me as their Parliamentary Representative for the fifth time.” (St Lucia News Online and Times Caribbean Online)
