CASTRIES – The St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) came storming back into government in yesterday’s general election, five years after it was swept aside by the United Workers’ Party (UWP).
Preliminary results show the SLP, led by Dr Kenny Anthony, holding a majority of the 17 seats, winning at least 10 and crushing the hopes of outgoing Prime Minister Stephenson King, who had predicted a 14-3 victory for the UWP and a second consecutive term in power.
A number of cabinet ministers, including Sports and Social Development Minister Leonard “Spider” Montoute, National Security Minister Guy Mayers, Health Minister Dr Keith Mondesir, Tourism Minister Allen Chastanet and Foreign Minister Rufus Bousquet, all tasted defeat in the election, the ninth since the island attained its political independence from Britain in 1979.
For the first time in more than three decades, the name Compton was not successful in the Micoud North constituency, where former University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer Dr Gale TC Rigobert defeated Jeannine Compton, the daughter of late Prime Minister and UWP founder Sir John Compton.
As an independent candidate, the female politician contested the seat which Sir John had held for more than three decades.
Heavy rains put a damper on the SLP’s celebrations, even though some supporters took to the streets rejoicing at the party’s turn of fortune.
Anthony easily won the Vieux Fort South seat he has held for the past 15 years, brushing aside Karl Wilfred Daniel’s challenge, while King comfortably retained his Castries North seat in a contest with Ubaldus Raymond. (CMC)
