Mr. Emmanuel Henry Giraudy O.B.E., Q.C. (1923-1993)
Mr. Emmanuel Henry Giraudy was born on 23rd December 1923 in Vieux Fort. He began his
studies at the Castries Intermediate Secondary School and after completion of his schooling
entered the Civil Service. Driven by a passion for Law, he pursued higher education, earning a
Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Dalhousie University, Toronto and was called to the Bar at Gray’s
Inn in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Giraudy’s legal career was marked by his dedication, sound logic, and eloquence, earning him
a reputation as one of Saint Lucia’s foremost legal advocates. His professional joy came from
advocating for and defending the common man across various levels of the court system.
In 1961, Mr. Giraudy embarked on his political journey by joining the People’s Progressive Party
(PPP), and was elected as the First Vice President. That same year, he contested the general
elections for the Vieux Fort/Laborie constituency as a PPP candidate but narrowly lost by 29 votes.
However, he successfully won a seat in the Castries Town Council elections. By 1964, the PPP
collaborated with John Compton’s National Labour Movement (NLM) to form the United Workers
Party (UWP), with Mr. Giraudy serving as Party Chairman. He won the Vieux Fort/Laborie
constituency in the 1964 general election and continued his winning streak in the 1967 and 1974
elections. In 1982 he was appointed President of the Senate, holding this office and the Party
Chairman position until his death in 1993.
Mr. Giraudy’s leadership qualities earned him the respect of his colleagues. He built an effective
Party election machinery and his guidance was pivotal in the UWP’s political dominance in Saint
Lucia for three decades, earning him the name “the Mighty Chairman”. Under his chairmanship,
the UWP won successive general elections from 1964 until 1979. The instability and infighting
within the SLP government from 1979 to 1981 led to an early demise of the administration and
subsequent early general election, allowing the UWP to regain control in 1982 , which was
maintained until 1997.
The partnership between Giraudy and Compton was a significant factor in the UWP’s success, with
Giraudy being the driving force behind Compton, ensuring Party organization, cohesion and unity.
Neither Giraudy nor Compton were involved with the Party when it suffered its 1997 defeat.
Notably, no other UWP Chairman to date has held the position for such an extended period. Mr.
Giraudy’s unwavering loyalty and dedication to the Party, along with the close working
relationship and mutual respect between the two provided stability and served the UWP
immensely. He was an accomplished classical guitarist and dancer.
Mr. Emmanuel Henry Giraudy left a legacy of legal brilliance, political acumen, and unwavering
dedication to the people and politics of Saint Lucia. His legacy continues through a scholarship
established by his children, offering two-year A-Level scholarships for school leavers from rural
areas enabling many students to complete their professional studies, proving that legacies can live
on.
