Commentary

Are You Better Off Today Than You Were Three Years Ago?

Three years ago, you entrusted Philip J. Pierre and the Saint Lucia Labour Party with the governance of our beloved country. Now, it’s time to reflect on that decision and ask ourselves a critical question: Are we better off today than we were three years ago? In the past three years, we have witnessed several concerning developments: High Fuel and…

The Failure of Saint Lucia’s 2.5% Health and Security Levy

The recent announcement by Minister of Health Moses Jn Baptiste that the Government is still working on a financing mechanism for healthcare is deeply concerning. This comes after the Government abandoned the National Health Insurance initiative which was started by the Allen Chastanet led administration and a year after the introduction of a 2.5% Health and Security levy on goods…

The Missing US$1.4 Billion in CIP Funds and Its Potential Impact on Saint Lucia’s Economy

Saint Lucia is grappling with an economic burden that has left many of its citizens struggling to make ends meet. The 2.5% Health and Security Levy, introduced by the Pierre government to raise $33 million EC annually, has added to the financial strain on households and businesses. This levy, applied to essential goods and services such as groceries, back-to-school items,…

Deceptive Governance

By James Stanislaus The government of St. Lucia has embarked on a reckless and destructive path, prioritizing the interests of foreign corporations and wealthy elites over those of its own citizens, particularly the poor and working-class people who make up more than 50% of the population. The recent imposition of a 2.5% Health & Security Levy, touted as a measure…

Ethical Governance in Question: Did Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre Support Ministers’ Involvement in Blackmail Scandal?

Recent revelations have cast a troubling light on the actions of two key figures in the government of Saint Lucia, raising serious questions about ethical governance and political integrity. A recently aired episode of “Untold Stories” has brought to public attention leaked voice notes and WhatsApp conversations that suggest Minister Richard Frederick and Minister Joachim Henry were involved in a…

Hon. Allen Chastanet calls on Prime Minister Philip J Pierre to scrap 2.5% Levy for ALL Saint Lucians

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Allen Chastanet has written to Prime Minister Philip J Pierre calling on him to remove the 2.5% Levy for all Saint Lucians and not just a selected few. These are some of key points in Hon. Chastanet’s letter to the PM: 1) On July 12, 2024, the public learned via Instrument No. 108 of 2024…

When will Prime Minister Philip J Pierre and Ernest Hilaire be honest with Saint Lucians about the Citizenship by Investment Programme

Saint Lucia’s recent increase in the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) Infrastructure investment option, from US$100,000 to US$250,000, has raised significant questions and concerns regarding the allocation and utilization of funds. The situation becomes even more complex when examining the case of Caribbean Galaxy, a company allegedly allocated 7,000 citizenship files under this investment option. With the new pricing, Caribbean…

UWP Gros Islet Branch Worship Together

On Sunday, members of the United Workers Party Gros Islet Constituency branch came together in a beautiful display of faith. As we worshipped together, we were reminded of the power of unity, community, and shared values. Let’s continue to support and uplift each other, inspired by our collective spirit and dedication to a brighter future for Gros Islet and all…

The Difference between UWP and SLP on Taxes

When it comes to taxation, the United Workers Party (UWP) and the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) hold fundamentally different views, which are reflected in their policies and actions when in office. The UWP firmly believes that citizens are better managers of their money than the government. This philosophy drives their approach to taxation, focusing on reducing the tax burden…