When Allen Chastanet served as Prime Minister, his administration maintained a tight grip on spending, keeping the budget allocation for consultants below $81 million. At the time, then Opposition Leader Philip J. Pierre harshly criticized this figure, calling it excessive and wasteful. Fast forward to 2025 and now as Prime Minister, Pierre has allocated as much as $121 million for…
It’s no surprise that Saint Lucians aren’t holding their breath for Ernest Hilaire or Richard Frederick to debate the 2025/2026 Budget. After all, what can they possibly defend? Under Ernest Hilaire, the Citizenship by Investment Programme is embroiled in a multibillion-dollar scandal that has shaken public confidence and raised serious questions about government accountability. At the same time, his tourism…
Philip J Pierre and Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King, declared boldly that 2024–2025 would be Saint Lucia’s “Year of Infrastructure,” promising transformative improvements island-wide. However, as we reflect on this pledge, the reality starkly contrasts their rhetoric. The Millennium Highway, three years overdue remains incomplete, becoming a frustrating symbol of mismanagement and unmet expectations. Similarly, the West Coast Road project, critical…
When Hon. Allen Chastanet served as Prime Minister, his UWP administration expanded the Public Assistance Programme by adding over 1,000 vulnerable Saint Lucians, demonstrating a deep commitment to supporting those most in need. In stark contrast, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s SLP government has removed 700 individuals from this very programme, stripping essential support from families already struggling under the…
Whilst serving as Prime Minister, Hon. Allen Chastanet kept his campaign promise and reduced VAT by 2.5% to ease the burden on individuals and households, putting more money in the pockets of Saint Lucians. In contrast, when Philip J. Pierre became Prime Minister, he introduced a new 2.5% Health and Security Levy, which led to higher prices for goods and…
The difference between leadership that protects and leadership that neglects couldn’t be clearer! Under Hon. Allen Chastanet, a $13.95 fuel price cap was introduced to shield Saint Lucians from the rising cost of living, a bold move to ease pressure on families, businesses and commuters. In contrast, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre removed that fuel cap, and for the past…
Prime Minister Pierre’s decision to shut down the 2025/2026 Budget Debate prematurely was more than just a parliamentary maneuver, it was an act of desperation. While much attention has rightly been focused on silencing Leader of the Opposition Hon. Allen Chastanet, let us not forget that Richard Frederick a senior minister in Pierre’s own Cabinet—was also blocked from speaking. Why?…
Saint Lucians are still asking one critical question after the abrupt and disgraceful end to the 2025/2026 Budget Debate: Why didn’t Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre allow Dr. Ernest Hilaire to speak? Whilst the move was mainly a desperate move to silence Leader of the Opposition Hon. Allen Chastanet, who was ready to expose the gaping flaws, inflated numbers and…
In August 2023, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre introduced the now-infamous 2.5% Health and Security Levy, claiming it was a temporary measure, one that would last only two years. He assured Saint Lucians that the levy would end in August 2025. But today, we know that was not the truth. In his latest 2025/2026 Budget, the Prime Minister has quietly…
For over four years, Saint Lucians have endured the highest fuel prices in the OECS and it’s no accident. It’s the direct result of short-sighted policy decisions made by the Philip J. Pierre administration, particularly the removal of the fuel price cap of $13.95 put in place by the Allen Chastanet-led government. Today, while our OECS neighbours pay significantly less…