DAY 2: The Economic Scorecard — Growth or Recovery?

From Promises to Reality — A Citizen’s Look at the SLP Record

Published on: November 12, 2025
By: Choiseul on the Move Editorial Team

The Numbers That Tell a Story

The Saint Lucia Labour Party’s (SLP) From Promises to Reality report opens with an impressive headline:

“Saint Lucia’s economy is the largest in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, representing over one-quarter of total GDP.”

It proudly cites three consecutive years of positive primary balances, a reduction of outstanding payables from $130 million to $30 million, and steady economic growth between 3.9% and 4.9% in 2023–2024.

At first glance, it’s a compelling narrative — an image of strong fiscal discipline and stability under Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. But dig a little deeper, and the question emerges: Is this true growth, or simply recovery from crisis?

Growth vs. Recovery: Understanding the Context

When the administration took office in July 2021, the economy was in freefall — a staggering 22.9% decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following years saw inevitable rebound growth across the region, not just in Saint Lucia.

So while 2022 and 2023 recorded double-digit expansions, economists warn that such numbers largely represent a “bounce back effect” — a recovery of what was lost, rather than new growth.

In reality, Saint Lucia’s GDP in constant terms is only now returning to pre-pandemic levels. Tourism, construction, and public expenditure have been the main engines, but private sector investment remains sluggish and inflation continues to erode disposable income.

Debt Management and Fiscal Balances

The manifesto report highlights a $95 million primary balance surplus in FY 2023/24, compared to a –$117 million deficit in 2021/22. This is indeed a major fiscal turnaround, aided by the removal of arrears, increased revenue collection, and a sharp reduction in capital expenditure delays.

However, much of this success stems from record remittances and inflation-driven VAT revenue, not necessarily expanded production or exports. Meanwhile, the public debt remains around $4 billion, hovering near 80% of GDP — still above regional sustainability thresholds.

The government deserves credit for discipline, but the challenge ahead is growth-led balance, not austerity-led balance.

Employment and Productivity

The report celebrates record employment of 97,000 people and an 11% unemployment rate in early 2024, the lowest on record. Yet, many of these jobs fall under short-term contracts, STEP projects, or public service absorption, not private enterprise expansion.

Saint Lucia’s productivity index has not seen significant improvement, and youth unemployment—though reduced—remains double the national average. Without productivity growth, wage increases and cost-of-living pressures could quickly cancel out these statistical wins.

Where the Economy Feels It Most

Ask the ordinary Saint Lucian: does this feel like a thriving economy?
The answers are mixed. Prices for fuel, groceries, and basic goods remain high; electricity and transportation eat into wages; and the much-touted tax relief barely offsets the new 2.5% Health and Security Levy.

In other words, macroeconomic success hasn’t yet translated into microeconomic relief.

Our Takeaway

The Pierre administration deserves recognition for stabilizing finances and restoring investor confidence. But it’s misleading to label this a “thriving economy.”

What we’re seeing is recovery, not revolution — the regaining of balance after crisis, not the leap toward transformation promised in 2021.

Tomorrow on Day 3

We dive into the heart of every kitchen-table conversation — Cost of Living & Tax Relief: VAT Removed, but Prices Rising?

Can tax cuts truly outweigh rising inflation? And is the average Saint Lucian really keeping more money in their pocket? Stay tuned.

Two Visions, One Constituency: Bradley vs Kiffo and the Future of Choiseul/Saltibus

As election fever slowly builds across the island, the people of Choiseul/Saltibus find themselves at the heart of a fascinating political crossroads. On one side stands Bradley Felix, the seasoned parliamentarian with a track record of calm leadership and measured governance. On the other, Keithson “Kiffo” Charles, the newcomer with a bold message of renewal and a promise to end what he calls “a season of silence.”

Both men present distinct visions for the constituency — one grounded in continuity, the other in change. But what do their messages really say about the kind of leadership each offers?

🟨 Bradley Felix: Steady Hands, Proven Path

Felix’s message is simple: results over rhetoric. His vision emphasizes continuity, inclusiveness, and a quiet strength born of experience. In his recent interview with Lisa Joseph, he reminded voters of what was achieved between 2016 and 2021, urging them to “sift through the fluff and the bluff” and focus on tangible results.

He positions himself as:

• A non-discriminatory representative who serves all constituents, regardless of political affiliation.

• A tested leader who knows how to navigate the system to bring development to Choiseul.

• A man focused on family values and youth, believing progress must be sustainable and rooted in community strength.

• Someone who wants to keep Choiseul high on the national agenda, ensuring continued investment and attention.

Felix’s tone reflects confidence, stability, and pride — a belief that leadership should be about quiet delivery rather than noisy confrontation.

🟥 Keithson “Kiffo” Charles: The Sound of Renewal

In contrast, Kiffo’s maiden speech was fiery, passionate, and people-driven. He declared that “the season of silence is over,” positioning himself as the voice of a constituency ready to reclaim its influence.

Kiffo’s promises centered on renewal, opportunity, and social empowerment, including:

• Creating jobs and economic opportunities for youth and local entrepreneurs.

• Revitalizing roads, health centers, and community infrastructure.

• Supporting farmers and fishers with better access to tools and markets.

• Making education and skills training a top priority.

• Promoting unity across political lines, while holding leadership accountable.

His vision taps into emotion — one that speaks to those who feel left out or unheard. It’s the voice of renewal versus the comfort of stability.

⚖️ The Core Difference: Continuity vs Change

At the heart of this political duel is a simple question:

Do the people of Choiseul/Saltibus want to continue building on what exists, or do they want to start fresh with new energy and ideas?

Bradley Felix represents the continuation of a known formula — steady governance, gradual development, and experience in navigating the national system.
Kiffo Charles represents the break from the old, the emergence of a younger, louder generation eager to leave a mark.

🌴 What the Voters Must Consider

Voters will have to decide which vision best aligns with their lived reality.
Do they feel progress has been steady enough under Bradley’s stewardship?
Or do they share Kiffo’s view that the people’s voices have been ignored for too long?

Either way, the upcoming election promises to be one of the most defining moments in Choiseul’s political story — not just about personalities, but about the direction of leadership for the next decade.

✍️ Final Thought

Both men love Choiseul. Both claim to serve without discrimination. Yet their roads to the same destination couldn’t be more different.
Whether voters choose the calm of continuity or the energy of change, one truth remains — Choiseul/Saltibus is awake, alert, and ready to make its voice heard.

🇱🇨 When the Numbers Tell a Story: Chastanet and Frederick Agree—$240 Million from CIP!

Politics, as fiery as it gets in Saint Lucia, sometimes produces rare moments of accidental agreement between rivals. That’s exactly what happened this week when former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and current Minister of Housing Richard Frederick—two men who rarely share a political sentence without sparks—ended up confirming the same financial truth: the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) brought in an astonishing $240 million between March 2024 and March 2025.

  Richard Frederick’s Revelation

In a recent public address, Minister Frederick proudly declared that Saint Lucia’s CIP generated EC$240 million in just one year, describing it as one of the programme’s strongest performances since inception. His tone was triumphant—proof, he said, of investor confidence and the administration’s success in managing the programme.

“The CIP brought in between March 2024 and March 2025 about $240 million. Are you hearing me? Two hundred and forty million dollars in one year!”

That statement was meant to showcase economic achievement—a feather in the government’s cap and a signal that Saint Lucia was performing well on the international investment front.

  Chastanet’s Counterpunch

But politics is a chess game, and Allen Chastanet, the former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, immediately seized the same figure to challenge the government’s credibility.

Speaking on the campaign trail, he echoed Frederick’s own words to drive home a question Saint Lucians have been asking for months:

“Phillip J. Pierre said he made $240 million from the CIP. So, where is the money? Why do we still have the 2.5% Health and Security Levy? Why are gas prices still high?”

Chastanet argued that if the country indeed raked in such a large sum, there should be visible relief for citizens—lower fuel costs, lighter taxes, and better services. His wider point was that the government, despite record revenue, still claims it cannot complete major projects like St. Jude Hospital, which he said now carries a combined price tag of nearly $400 million over four administrations.

  The St. Jude Factor

Here’s where the debate gets even more interesting. Chastanet told supporters that the government called early elections because it cannot finish St. Jude Hospital.

According to him:

• Dr. Kenny Anthony’s administration spent around $100 million,
• Philip J. Pierre’s administration has since spent $300 million,
• And yet, the hospital remains unfinished.

While the exact numbers may differ depending on which report one cites, few would deny that St. Jude has become a symbol of prolonged political failure. For over sixteen years, the hospital has been rebuilt, redesigned, relocated, and re-budgeted—each administration pointing fingers while the people wait for a functioning facility.

  The Common Thread: Accountability

Regardless of political color, one fact now stands beyond dispute—$240 million flowed through the CIP in a single year. That’s Richard Frederick’s number, and Allen Chastanet’s argument simply amplifies it.

What separates them is not the data, but the direction of the question:

• Frederick says, “Look how well we’ve done.”
• Chastanet asks, “Then why is the country still struggling?”

And that, Saint Lucians, is where accountability meets reality. It is not enough to boast of millions earned; the nation must also see where and how those millions were spent.

  The Bigger Picture

As Saint Lucia heads toward the December 2025 general elections, both men—one in government, one seeking to return—have handed voters a gift: proof that the money exists. The challenge now is to demand clarity.

If $240 million entered our national coffers through the CIP, the public deserves to know:

• How much went into the National Economic Fund?
• How much was used for actual projects?
• And how much remains in reserve or unaccounted for?

  Final Word

For once, Chastanet and Frederick are singing the same note, even if to different tunes. The CIP is producing big money, but unless that wealth is matched by transparency, relief, and visible national development, Saint Lucians will continue to ask—loudly and rightfully—“Where is the money?”

"You’ll Easier See a Green Donkey”: Dr. Alphonsus St. Rose’s Hard-Hitting Call for Accountability

The nation woke up this morning to the announcement that Saint Lucia’s Parliament has been dissolved — and that general elections will be held on December 1, 2025.

As citizens begin weighing their choices, one online discussion has captured the heart of the public debate. On my Facebook page, I asked a simple but serious question:

“How much has really been spent on St. Jude, and what exactly have we gotten for it so far? Inquiring minds want to know!"

It was a question meant to spark reflection — and it did. Among the many responses, one stood out sharply for its depth, precision, and patriotic honesty. It came from none other than Dr. Alphonsus St. Rose, a proud Choiseulian by birth and long-time advocate for health reform and good governance.

Here’s what Dr. St. Rose had to say:

“Trust me, that tab from 2009 to 2025 (and still counting), spanning four administrations and sixteen years, must shamefully be in excess of half a billion dollars for that. What is even worse is we as a nation and a people are expected to celebrate (at its opening) that level of political negligence with no accountability or transparency. You will easier see a green donkey before you ever get to know the true cost of this contagion. It is for this reason we must command value and purpose to our vote by demanding our government to enact a FOIA, because unlike Caesar's wife, our governments are not beyond suspicion!”

A Question That Struck a Nerve

Dr. St. Rose’s response cuts to the bone of our national conscience. What started as a simple social media question quickly turned into a moment of reckoning for all Saint Lucians — especially those who have watched the St. Jude saga unfold for nearly two decades.

The hospital reconstruction project, born from the ashes of tragedy in 2009, has now become a lasting symbol of political failure and financial secrecy. Sixteen years, four administrations, and hundreds of millions later, Saint Lucians still have no clear public accounting of the total cost.

A National Lesson in Neglect

Each government has had its chance to “fix St. Jude.” Each one promised to deliver. Yet the final product has been delays, reworks, investigations, and shifting narratives. The end result is a structure clouded by mystery, mistrust, and unanswered questions.

As Dr. St. Rose boldly stated, we are expected to celebrate this outcome — as if completion alone justifies the political negligence that led us here. His “green donkey” metaphor captures the absurdity perfectly: it will take a miracle before Saint Lucians ever see the real figures or understand how their money was spent.

The Call for Transparency and FOIA

At the heart of his message lies a demand for a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) — legislation that would finally empower citizens to access government records, contracts, and expenditure data. Such an Act would prevent future governments from hiding behind confidentiality clauses or partisan spin.

Transparency should not depend on political convenience; it should be the default standard of governance. As Dr. St. Rose reminded us, “unlike Caesar’s wife, our governments are not beyond suspicion.”

An Election About Integrity

With elections now officially called, this conversation must rise beyond party lines. The St. Jude issue is not red or yellow — it is a national disgrace that calls for a new political culture.

Voters must now decide whether they will continue to reward empty talk and opacity, or whether they will use the power of their vote to demand accountability, audited results, and legislative reform.

As one citizen’s Facebook question met one Choiseulian’s fearless truth, the message became clear: Saint Lucia cannot afford another sixteen years of silence.

Until the people demand honesty in governance, we might all keep chasing that same green donkey down the same old road.

#AccountabilityNow #FOIAForStLucia #StJudeHospital #Elections2025 #ChoiseulSpeaks #TransparencyMatters

Call for a Memorial Monument at Morne Sion to Honour the Victims of the 2011 Choiseul Tragedy

PRESS RELEASE

Date: November 9, 2025

Subject: Call for a Memorial Monument at Morne Sion to Honour the Victims of the 2011 Choiseul Tragedy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Choiseul, Saint Lucia —
As the community of Choiseul and the wider nation prepare to mark the 14th anniversary of the tragic Morne Sion accident of November 10, 2011, Choiseul on the Move calls upon both political candidates for the Choiseul/Saltibus constituency—Mr. Bradley Felix (United Workers Party) and Mr. Keithson “Kiffo” Charles (Saint Lucia Labour Party)—to make a solemn and public commitment to the people of Choiseul:

Deliver a permanent monument at the Morne Sion crash site before the next anniversary.

---

Background

On the evening of Thursday, November 10, 2011, a minibus carrying mourners returning from a funeral in Micoud plunged off a cliff into the sea at Morne Sion, Choiseul.
Seventeen lives were lost—including men, women, children, and an expectant mother. It remains one of the most devastating accidents in Saint Lucia’s modern history.

In the weeks that followed, there were many promises and pledges of remembrance. The then Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony, publicly expressed his government’s intention to erect a memorial monument at the site. Yet, fourteen years later, no such monument exists.
The only reminder at the scene today is a set of culvert barriers—cold, impersonal, and inadequate to represent the pain, faith, and loss that the Choiseul community endured that night.

A Community Still Hurting

Every year, families from Dugard, Fond Lor, and the surrounding areas quietly mark the anniversary.
For them, the absence of a formal memorial is not just an oversight—it is a painful symbol of forgotten promises.

This press release, therefore, is not political.
It is moral.
It is humanitarian.
It is an appeal from a community that refuses to let memory die in silence.

Our Call to Action

We call upon both Mr. Felix and Mr. Charles, as sons of Choiseul and aspirants to represent its people, to:

1. Publicly pledge to erect a Memorial Monument at Morne Sion by November 10, 2026.
2. Collaborate with local families, church leaders, and community representatives on the design and placement of the monument.
3. Ensure transparency regarding funding, location, and maintenance.
4. Include the names of all victims on the monument, as a mark of eternal remembrance.

This is not a matter of politics—it is a matter of dignity.
Leadership begins with empathy, and the people of Choiseul/Saltibus deserve leaders who can honour their own.

Why It Matters

The Morne Sion tragedy stands as a scar on the national conscience.
It reminds us of the fragility of life, the power of community, and the responsibility of leaders to act where words once failed.

A monument at the crash site would:

• Preserve our history for future generations.
• Offer closure to the bereaved.
• Serve as a national reminder of road safety and compassion.
• Restore pride in a community that bore unimaginable pain.

A Final Word

Choiseul on the Move is urging both candidates—before the campaign dust settles—to take a united stand on this humanitarian issue.
Commit publicly, follow through faithfully, and let your legacy in Choiseul/Saltibus begin not with division, but with honour.

Let November 10th, 2026, be a day of healing, not just remembering.

Issued by:
Choiseul on the Move
Community Blog and Civic Platform
📧 choiseul.inform@gmail.com
🌐 https://choiseul-inform.blogspot.com

Wickham’s Warning: Pierre Won’t Call Election Without a Clear Edge — What Does That Really Mean?ñ

Caribbean pollster Peter Wickham has dropped a subtle but significant observation about Saint Lucia’s political climate. Speaking recently on regional media, Wickham suggested that Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre will not risk calling a general election until he’s certain that his Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) has a clear advantage at the polls.

That statement might sound like cautious leadership — but beneath the surface, it tells a bigger story about where both major political parties stand right now.

A Waiting Game from the Top

According to Wickham, Pierre is playing it safe. The Prime Minister appears to be carefully watching the political winds, waiting for the perfect moment to strike — perhaps after the official opening of the St. Jude Hospital or another major government project.

This signals one thing loud and clear: Pierre is not yet convinced his government has the edge. In politics, timing is everything — and when a leader refuses to roll the dice early, it usually means the numbers aren’t as strong as they’d like.

The UWP Factor

If Pierre’s caution tells one story, the United Workers Party’s (UWP) growing confidence tells another. Across constituencies, the UWP has been visibly re-energized, holding rallies, announcing youth movements, and sharpening its messaging.

Wickham himself noted that the “campaign environment is heating up,” with both parties active on the ground. That’s pollster language for: “the race is tightening.”

The UWP’s message appears to be landing, especially among voters who feel disillusioned by the slow pace of economic relief and the long wait for completed projects like St. Jude. Even if the opposition hasn’t yet taken the lead, it’s clearly on the move — enough to make the SLP hesitate.

Reading Between the Lines

When a sitting government avoids early elections, it’s rarely out of comfort. It’s out of calculated caution. Wickham’s remark reveals that the Prime Minister wants to ensure that when he finally rings the bell, the conditions — public mood, project completion, and economic signals — are perfectly aligned in his favor.

In short, he’s waiting for the “clear edge.”

But politics rarely offers guarantees. By waiting too long, Pierre also risks giving the opposition more time to organize, build momentum, and define the narrative — especially in marginal constituencies like Choiseul/Saltibus, Dennery North, and Castries South-East, where swings decide elections.

The Road Ahead

Saint Lucia may not see an election date announced until key deliverables are completed and the polls lean red. Until then, Wickham’s analysis serves as a quiet reminder that the political ground is shifting.

Whether it’s genuine UWP momentum or SLP strategic patience, one thing is clear — both sides know the next election won’t be a walkover.

The battle lines are being drawn, and the countdown has quietly begun.

Written by Dedan Jn Baptiste for Election Power Watch — keeping Choiseul and Saint Lucia informed, one pulse at a time.

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