Closing 2025: Standing Firm, Staying Present, Putting Community First

As 2025 draws to a close, Choiseul on the Move pauses—not to retreat, but to reflect.

PThis was a year of political transition, heightened expectations, and renewed civic awareness across Choiseul and Saltibus. It was a year where voices grew louder, promises flowed freely, and the national spotlight briefly turned our way.

And when that spotlight moved on, Choiseul on the Move stayed.

Before elections.

During elections.

After elections.

We remained present when it was fashionable—and when it was not. Because accountability does not end on polling day, and representation does not pause once the campaign banners come down.

What We Stood For in 2025

In a year charged with political emotion, Choiseul on the Move chose principle over popularity.

We stood firmly on the belief that our community deserves facts, not fanfare; structure, not slogans; delivery, not decoration.

Throughout 2025, this platform refused to become a cheerleading squad for any political party or personality. Instead, we asked the uncomfortable questions. We challenged easy narratives. We examined systems—not just speeches.

We advocated for:

Proper representation, not photo-ops

Strong constituency structures, not seasonal visits

Grassroots engagement, not top-down announcements

Choiseul on the Move remained independent, unbought, and unafraid.

Because we understand our role clearly:

The voice for the voiceless.

The questions others won’t ask.

The Posts and Conversations That Defined 2025

Several key pieces and themes shaped public discussion this year and resonated deeply with readers both at home and across the diaspora.

Election Analysis & Constituency Breakdowns

Our deep dives into voter turnout, polling division behavior, and electoral trends helped demystify the numbers and grounded political conversation in facts rather than emotion. These posts mattered because they empowered residents to understand why outcomes happened—not just who won.

Post-Election Accountability: “The Honeymoon Is Over”

Perhaps one of the most talked-about themes of the year, this series reminded leaders that governance begins the day after victory. It sparked debate locally and abroad, reinforcing that representation is a five-year responsibility, not a campaign season performance.

Calls for Stronger Constituency Councils & Community Structures

By highlighting the need for functioning councils in Choiseul and Saltibus, these pieces amplified a long-standing concern: communities need systems that listen, respond, and act. Readers connected because it reflected lived realities across polling divisions.

Infrastructure & Development Analysis

From roads to utilities to public works, Choiseul on the Move examined development beyond ribbon-cutting. These posts resonated because they asked a simple but powerful question: How does this improve daily life for residents?

Youth, Sports, and Community Development Advocacy

Our focus on youth engagement, sports initiatives, and community empowerment reinforced the belief that development is incomplete if young people are left on the margins.

Media Accountability & Political Transparency

In an age of spin and selective silence, these posts mattered because they defended the public’s right to clarity, balance, and truth.

Together, these conversations did more than inform—they activated.

Our Promise for 2026

As we step into 2026, Choiseul on the Move makes no cosmetic promises—only meaningful ones.

We will:

Continue fearless, balanced reporting

Track promises against performance

Go deeper into polling divisions and community-specific needs

Elevate solutions alongside problems

Strengthen data-driven analysis and civic education

Let it be clear:

This platform will not be silenced, softened, or sidelined.

Choiseul on the Move will continue to ask hard questions with respect, challenge power with facts, and defend community interests with consistency.

A Word of Thanks

This platform exists because of you.

To our faithful readers in Choiseul and Saltibus—thank you.

To the diaspora in the UK, USA, Canada, and across the Caribbean—your engagement reminds us that home is never forgotten.

To community members who share stories, concerns, and quiet tips—your trust fuels this work.

And to those who disagree but still engage respectfully—democracy needs that too.

Choiseul on the Move does not belong to any party or personality.

It belongs to the people.

Season’s Greetings & Looking Ahead

As the Christmas season settles into our homes and communities, we extend warm wishes to every family—near and far.

May the New Year bring peace to our homes, strength to our communities, and wisdom to those entrusted with leadership.

As we move forward, let us remain hopeful—but vigilant. United—but questioning. Proud—but never complacent.

Community first.

Truth alway

Choiseul on the Move.

A Christmas Thank You from Choiseul on the Move

As the year comes to a close and Christmas fills our homes with warmth and reflection, we pause to say a heartfelt thank you.

To every reader, supporter, and follower who took the time to check our work, share a post, leave a comment, or simply stay informed — we appreciate you. Your continued support is what keeps Choiseul on the Move alive, relevant, and rooted in community.

This platform exists to tell our stories, encourage haealthy discussion, and keep Choiseul and Saltibus moving forward. Your engagement, even when opinions differ, has helped strengthen that mission.

As we look ahead to a new year, we remain committed to honest dialogue, community-centered storytelling, and progress that benefits our people.

From all of us at Choiseul on the Move, we wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Thank you for walking this journey with us.

🎄✨

Why the UWP Lost on December 1 — And What the Way Forward Must Look Like

Choiseul on the Move analysis | General Elections: December 1, 2025

Let’s start with the obvious: the United Workers Party (UWP) did not just “lose an election” on December 1, 2025 — it lost momentum, lost ground-game power in key constituencies, and lost the national argument about who looked more ready to govern.

And while UWP supporters will understandably feel disappointed, this moment should not be treated as a funeral. It should be treated as a reset button — a painful one, yes — but also a necessary one.

The Results Didn’t Happen by Accident

Official results show the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) winning a dominant majority of seats after the December 1 vote. 

But here’s the part that matters for every party, not just the UWP: turnout was low. The overall turnout has been reported at just under 50%. 5That means a huge portion of the electorate stayed home — and that reality should haunt both sides.

Low turnout is not a victory for democracy. It’s a warning light.

The Choiseul/Saltibus Lens: A Loss, But Not a Collapse

In Choiseul, the contest was close enough to prove something important: UWP support here is real, but it wasn’t strong enough to cross the finish line this time.

• Votes cast: 5,705 of 9,539 electors (59.81% turnout)
• SLP: 2,941 (53.9%)
• UWP: 2,517 (46.1%)
• Margin: 424 votes

Those are official constituency figures. 2

So no, Choiseul/Saltibus did not “reject” the UWP in some humiliating way. This was a tight fight — and tight fights are won by organization, clarity, and turnout discipline. That’s where the UWP must be honest with itself.

So Why Did the UWP Lose Nationally?

This isn’t about insulting anyone. It’s about learning. From a practical, on-the-ground perspective, the UWP struggled in five major areas:

1. Message clarity: Too many people could not explain — in one sentence — what the UWP stood for this election cycle, beyond “we can do better.”
2. Unity optics: Elections punish parties that look internally unsettled. Voters don’t invest their vote in uncertainty.
3. Ground game gaps: In several areas, the machinery didn’t feel sharp — not enough visible constituency presence, not enough consistent community touchpoints, not enough “small problem solving” before the big speeches.
4. Candidate strategy: In modern politics, a party can’t only “run names.” It has to run a disciplined team with clear roles, training, and real constituency work.
5. Voter trust after 2021–2025: Whether fair or not, elections are emotional audits. Many voters were still weighing the UWP’s last term and the way it communicated during crisis moments.

The Way Forward: Rebuild Like You Intend to Win

If the UWP wants to return as a serious governing option (not just a loud opposition), it needs a rebuild that is strategic, not cosmetic:

• Do a real post-election audit (constituency by constituency): turnout trends, volunteer strength, message penetration, and weak polling divisions.
• Modernize grassroots structure: constituency councils that are active all year — not activated only during election season.
• Train and empower local teams: youth wings, community liaisons, policy communicators, and social support units that can respond when residents have real issues.
• Fix the brand: people must know what the UWP stands for in 2026 and beyond — jobs, cost of living, crime, health access, education, small business growth — with simple, repeated explanations.
• Earn trust through service: not every political win starts in Parliament — many start by quietly solving community problems and showing up consistently.

And For Choiseul/Saltibus, Here’s the Bottom Line

Whether you voted UWP, SLP, or stayed home — Choiseul/Saltibus must demand results, not vibes.

Roads, drainage, jobs, youth programs, community facilities, support for farmers, better access to services — these are not “campaign topics.” These are daily life.

The UWP’s way forward matters, yes. But equally important is what the people do now: hold the winners accountable, and demand that the opposition rebuild into something worthy of governing.

Democracy doesn’t end after Election Day. It starts again the morning after.

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Sources: Official constituency results from the Saint Lucia Electoral results portal; international reporting confirming overall outcome and seat count. 

Why CBI Is a Headache for the USA — And What It Could Mean for Saint Lucia

Choiseul on the Move | Civic Lens | National Interest First

Around the Caribbean, we often hear it said plainly: “CBI is keeping the lights on.” And in many ways, that’s true—Citizenship by Investment (CBI) has helped small states raise revenue, fund projects, and stay afloat in a tough global economy.

But here’s the flip side: to the United States, CBI is not just a business model. It’s a border, security, and financial risk question. That’s why Washington keeps circling these programmes like a hawk. Not because the USA hates the Caribbean— but because the USA hates anything that creates a “shortcut” around its security and sanctions systems.

 The USA Treats Passports as Security Tools — Not Products

In America’s worldview, citizenship is supposed to reflect deep ties: residence, long-term checks, and accountability. CBI flips that idea into a transaction: invest a set amount, pass checks, and gain a passport—often without living in the country.

Even when due diligence is strong, the USA worries about the “weakest link” problem: one bad approval in any programme can ripple through international travel, banking, and enforcement systems.

 Sanctions Evasion Is the Big Red Flag

This is where the headache really starts. The USA uses sanctions to block certain individuals and networks from moving money, travelling freely, and doing business internationally. A second passport can make it easier for bad actors to rebrand themselves—new nationality, new paperwork, new routes.

US agencies have warned financial institutions that CBI passports can be misused to mask identity and origin, especially when the goal is to get around restrictions.

 Money Laundering and “Professional Middlemen”

Another major concern is illicit finance—money laundering, fraud, and shady funds dressed up as “investment.” Global watchdogs have flagged that risk isn’t only about the applicant; it can also involve the intermediaries and enablers: agents, promoters, lawyers, and fixers who push volume and commissions.

When that ecosystem gets too hungry, corners can get cut. And once trust is shaken, the consequences don’t fall on the agent alone—they fall on the country brand.

 Reputation Damage Can Hit Banking First

Here’s what people in Choiseul/Saltibus should understand: if the USA or major partners lose confidence in a country’s passport system, the pressure doesn’t stop at travel talk. It can spill into banking relationships, extra scrutiny for wire transfers, tougher compliance checks, and reputational drag that slows investment.

 Travel Restrictions: A Sign of How Fast Things Can Change

The region has already seen how quickly travel policy can tighten when the USA claims national security concerns tied to passport integrity and investment citizenship. Once restrictions hit, it affects ordinary people—not just “investors”: family travel, medical travel, study plans, business trips, and diaspora connections.

So Where Does Saint Lucia Stand?

Saint Lucia has a real balancing act:

• We need revenue to build, modernize, and fund national priorities.
• We need credibility to protect our people’s travel options and our banking access.
• We need transparency so citizens can trust that the programme serves national development, not private pockets.

What Strong Reform Looks Like (Plain Talk)

If CBI is to survive in a world of tighter borders and aggressive financial enforcement, Saint Lucia must stay ahead of the curve:

• Relentless due diligence (no shortcuts, no political favours).
• Clear public reporting on how funds are used—so citizens see national benefit.
• Stronger oversight of agents and intermediaries to prevent “passport sales culture.”
• Fast action on red flags—revocations, investigations, and cross-border cooperation where needed.

Choiseul on the Move Take

This is not about being “pro-CBI” or “anti-CBI.” It’s about being pro-Saint Lucia. If a programme is bringing in money but damaging our name, squeezing our banks, or risking travel blowback, then the nation must demand better governance—full stop.

The world has changed. Big countries are tightening the screws. And small states can’t afford to be casual with something as serious as citizenship.

Final word: If CBI is part of Saint Lucia’s future, then transparency, security, and accountability must be non-negotiable.

What do you think? Should Saint Lucia publish clearer reports on CBI revenue and spending? Should Parliament strengthen oversight? Let’s discuss it—respectfully, but honestly.

The Honeymoon Is Over: Choiseul/Saltibus Needs Structures, Not Spectacle

The cameras have flashed. The handshakes have been done. The celebratory posts have run their course.

Now comes the real work.

For the people of Choiseul/Saltibus, photo-ops do not fix leaking roofs, broken roads, idle youth, or families quietly struggling behind closed doors. Visibility without structure changes very little. And while the early days of any new term often come with calls to “give him a break,” that argument does not hold water here.

The responsibility to represent Choiseul/Saltibus did not begin yesterday, nor does it pause for a grace period. It begins now—and continues every day for the next five years.

Representation Must Be Built From the Ground Up

What this constituency needs is not constant media presence, but an organised, functional system that keeps the representative connected to the real pulse of the communities.

One clear starting point is the creation of pockets of active community groups across the polling divisions—small, trusted teams made up of residents who are already in direct contact with the people. These groups are the eyes, ears, and early-warning system of the constituency.

They know where the elderly live alone. They know which families need urgent help. They know where youth are drifting, where tempers are rising, and where opportunity is quietly slipping away.

Without this grassroots layer, representation becomes guesswork.

Two Constituencies, Two Councils, One Clear Mission

An efficient system also requires fully functioning constituency councils—one for Choiseul and one for Saltibus—not ceremonial bodies, but working engines of development.

These councils must have the capacity to:

• Liaise directly with government agencies
• Identify and introduce youth programmes, training opportunities, and social support initiatives
• Coordinate community-based projects instead of waiting on top-down solutions
• Track issues and follow them through to resolution

Government already offers programmes. Too often, communities miss out simply because no one bridges the gap between policy and people.

Presence Means More Than Attendance

True representation requires regular, structured visits throughout the constituency—not for optics, but for assessment.

Urgent repairs do not announce themselves online. Failing retaining walls, unsafe footpaths, damaged homes, and neglected public spaces are found by walking, listening, and returning.

This kind of presence builds trust. More importantly, it builds a database of needs that can be acted upon methodically, not reactively.

Campaign Promises Demand Campaign Discipline

This approach—community groups, dual constituency councils, continuous assessment—is not new. It was proposed during the campaign as a different kind of representation.

Now is the moment to prove it was more than rhetoric.

Calls to “give him time” miss the point. Time is not the issue. Structure is.

Choiseul/Saltibus does not need excuses. It needs systems that work when the spotlight moves elsewhere.

The Clock Is Already Ticking

The honeymoon is over. The expectations are real. And the people are watching—not the headlines, but the outcomes.

This is the season for laying foundations: durable, community-driven, and accountable.

Five years pass quickly. The work must begin now.

Choiseul on the Move will continue to watch, analyse, and speak—because representation is not a favour. It is a duty.

From Launch Speech to Ministerial Responsibility: Kiffo Charles and the Real Weight of Physical Development & Public Utilities

When Keithson “Kiffo” Charles delivered his campaign launch speech, he spoke with conviction about roads, infrastructure, opportunity, and restoring confidence in Choiseul/Saltibus. At the time, those words represented vision and intent. Today, with his assignment as Minister for Physical Development and Public Utilities, those same words now carry direct responsibility.

This appointment significantly changes the political equation. Kiffo is no longer only a Parliamentary Representative advocating on behalf of his constituency — he is now a minister with direct oversight of some of the most sensitive and visible sectors in national development.

From Advocate to Executor

As Parliamentary Representative alone, Kiffo could lobby ministries, follow up on delays, and push projects politically. As Minister for Physical Development and Public Utilities, he now controls the levers that shape:

• Road construction and maintenance
• Urban and rural development planning
• Water supply and distribution
• Electricity infrastructure and reliability
• Land use, housing, and physical planning approvals

This shift removes a common political shield. Delays, inefficiencies, and poor execution can no longer be blamed on “another ministry”. The public will now expect results — not explanations.

Expectation Management Just Got Harder

During the campaign, supporters accepted that progress would take time. With this ministerial portfolio, patience will be shorter. The public will expect:

• Immediate road improvements
• Visible action on water issues
• Clear plans for utilities reliability
• Better coordination on infrastructure projects

The danger is not unrealistic expectations — it is silence. If the ministry does not communicate clearly, consistently, and honestly about timelines and constraints, frustration will grow even when work is underway.

Infrastructure Is Political — Every Single Day

Physical Development and Public Utilities is one of the most politically exposed ministries. Every pothole, water disruption, power outage, or road closure becomes a personal indictment of the minister.

Recent road works in Choiseul already demonstrated how quickly technical issues can turn into political controversy. Poor signage, weak communication, or contractor mismanagement can overshadow genuine progress. As minister, Kiffo must ensure:

• Strict project supervision
• Clear public notices before works begin
• Strong coordination with contractors and local authorities
• Rapid response when things go wrong

Execution, not intention, will define his credibility.

Choiseul/Saltibus: Opportunity and Risk

Kiffo’s constituency will naturally expect early benefits from his ministry. Roads, drainage, and utilities in Choiseul/Saltibus will now be viewed as a test case for his leadership.

This creates a double-edged sword. Early improvements can strengthen confidence and silence doubters. But perceived favouritism, or failure to deliver locally, can quickly fuel criticism from both within and outside the constituency.

He must strike a careful balance: delivering meaningful improvements at home while demonstrating fairness and national responsibility.

From Youth Promises to Systemic Delivery

His launch speech strongly connected with young people — not just emotionally, but through promises of opportunity tied to development. As minister, youth expectations will now extend to:

• Jobs linked to infrastructure projects
• Skills training and apprenticeships
• Inclusion of local contractors and workers
• Clear pathways into the construction and utilities sectors

If young people see cranes moving, roads improving, and locals being employed, confidence will grow. If they see projects moving without opportunity for them, disillusionment will follow.

The Burden of Visibility

Unlike quieter ministries, Physical Development and Public Utilities offers no hiding place. Every success is visible — and every failure is amplified. Social media will magnify delays, mistakes, and missteps in real time.

This will require:

• Disciplined public messaging
• Measured responses to criticism
• Strong technical advisors
• A calm, solutions-focused leadership style

Emotional reactions or rushed statements can turn manageable issues into national controversies.

Conclusion: No More Speeches — Only Systems

Keithson “Kiffo” Charles has moved rapidly from campaigner to cabinet-level decision-maker. His assignment to Physical Development and Public Utilities transforms his launch speech from political promise into a binding contract with the people.

His first term will now be judged not by passion, but by:

• Delivery — Are roads, water, and utilities improving?
• Discipline — Are projects well-managed and well-communicated?
• Equity — Is development fair, transparent, and national in scope?

If Kiffo builds strong systems, enforces standards, and communicates honestly, this ministry can become the foundation of a long and credible political career. If not, it will quickly become the most unforgiving classroom of his public life.

In politics, few ministries test leadership more brutally than Physical Development and Public Utilities. For Keithson “Kiffo” Charles, the launch speech chapter is closed. The delivery chapter has begun.

SLP’s Next 4–5 Years: The Quiet Succession War, the Richard Frederick Question, and Why Shawn Edward Matters

By Choiseul on the Move

The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) has just secured a second consecutive term, and on the surface the message is simple: “We are in control.” But anyone who has watched Caribbean politics long enough knows something else is always happening behind the curtains — especially after a big win.

Yes, government business will roll on. Projects will be announced. Ministers will settle into portfolios. But inside the party? The next 4 to 5 years look set to be a high-stakes internal evolution—a slow-moving, carefully managed contest for who becomes the face of Labour’s next era. And if you listen closely, you can already hear the gears turning.

1) Pierre’s Second Term: Strength Today… Succession Tomorrow

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre is now governing in a second term after the December 2025 election result delivered Labour a clear victory.  That kind of mandate brings confidence. It also brings something else: the succession conversation starts earlier than people admit.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud: many supporters and insiders already speak as if Pierre is in his final stretch. That doesn’t mean he is weak. It means the party is mature enough to start looking ahead. And when the “next” starts forming in people’s minds, ambition doesn’t sleep — it reorganizes.

2) Ernest Hilaire Is Deputy PM — So Any “Deputy PM Talk” Is Really About the Future

First, facts: Ernest Hilaire is the current Deputy Prime Minister.  So when anyone starts floating Deputy PM speculation, it’s not about removing Hilaire tomorrow. It’s about testing the party’s future architecture: Who rises? Who gets positioned? Who becomes “next in line”?

Hilaire represents a certain style of leadership — measured, policy-heavy, diplomatic, steady. In transition periods, that profile is either:

• the safe bridge to the next generation, or
• the benchmark that challengers try to outshine.

Either way, he becomes central to the story — not because he is in trouble, but because the party’s future will be judged against his model of governance.

3) The Richard Frederick Question: Accepted Fully… or Kept at Arm’s Length?

Now to the man everybody watches like hawk: Richard Frederick. He is a powerful communicator, a national talking point, and a political force whose voice reaches far beyond his constituency. He currently serves as Minister  for Housing and Local Government. 

The question many people are really asking is not whether he influences Labour’s narrative — he already does. The question is: does Labour formalize his place deeper into the party’s inner circle?

Because once that door opens wide, it changes the internal balance. And yes — it could create pressure for bigger titles, bigger visibility, and bigger bargaining power.

Here’s the political truth: if you are the loudest defender, the most consistent mouthpiece, and the most visible fighter, sooner or later you’ll feel entitled to more than “supporting role” status.

Not everyone in the SLP will be comfortable with that. Some will see it as strategic strength. Others will see it as a disruption of traditional pecking order. That tension alone can define a term.

4) Shawn Edward: Why This “Quiet Player” Could Become a Big Factor

Now let’s talk about the name people sometimes forget to place properly on the board: Shawn Edward.

Post-election portfolio adjustments have already put him in a more infrastructure-focused lane. Reports indicate Shawn Edward has been assigned responsibility for Infrastructure and Port Services (and in some official communications, infrastructure-related portfolios are highlighted around him). 

Why does that matter? Because in Saint Lucia, infrastructure is political electricity: roads, ports, projects, contracts, timelines, and delivery. That portfolio can either build reputations… or break them.

And here is where Shawn Edward becomes important in the internal story:

• If the party wants a steady operator who can deliver, he becomes valuable.
• If the party becomes split between “institutional leadership” and “media-warrior leadership,” he can become a balancer.
• If there is a leadership contest later, he can be a kingmaker—or a contender with momentum built through performance.

Transition periods reward the politician who can stay disciplined, avoid unnecessary enemies, and show measurable results. That profile often wins when the noise gets too loud.

5) The Next 4–5 Years, Predicted: Calm on the Outside, Heat on the Inside

Here’s the Choiseul on the Move prediction, straight and clean:

• Pierre will govern firmly, but as the term matures, he will begin managing succession dynamics more actively (even if quietly).
• Ernest Hilaire stays Deputy PM, but becomes the “standard” others are compared to—especially if leadership talk grows. 
• Richard Frederick’s influence will keep expanding, and the party will face a choice: embrace him deeper and benefit from his reach, or keep him at a controlled distance to protect internal balance. 
• Shawn Edward could become more central than people expect because infrastructure delivery is one of the fastest routes to national credibility. 

In short: Labour’s biggest fight may not be the opposition. Labour’s biggest challenge may be managing its own growth without internal ego collisions.

Final Word: SLP Will Not Implode — It Will Transform

Don’t misread this moment. The SLP is not heading for automatic chaos. It is heading into a political reality that every dominant party faces: what happens after the leader who held the centre starts moving toward the exit?

The next 4–5 years will reward discipline, delivery, and strategy. And make no mistake: the internal jockeying has already started — not with insults and open war, but with positioning, portfolios, messaging, and public presence.

Choiseul on the Move will be watching. Because when the “big men” shifting in Castries, Choiseul/Saltibus must always ask: How does this power game affect us on the ground?