Buying Votes: The Rotten Core of Our Democracy

There is something deeply rotten about the political culture creeping through our country—a practice so disgraceful, so brazen, that it spits in the face of every principle democracy stands for: paying voters for their support.

Yes, I said it. And if you’re one of those politicians, campaign operatives, or “foot soldiers” handing out cash, grocery bags, or envelopes stuffed with promises in exchange for a tick on a ballot—you are not a leader. You are a political hustler buying power on credit, and the nation pays the interest.

A Bribe by Any Other Name

Let’s strip away the spin. Call it “helping the poor,” “providing assistance,” or “campaign goodwill” all you want—when that ‘help’ only comes when elections are near, and only if voters agree to “vote the right way,” it’s not charity. It’s a bribe.
And here’s the truth: if a politician has to buy your vote, it’s because their record cannot earn it.

It’s Not Just Immoral—It’s Illegal

This isn’t just an ethical lapse—it’s a criminal act. Election laws exist to protect the integrity of the vote. When politicians pay for votes, they are literally tampering with the sovereign will of the people. It is voter fraud, plain and simple, dressed up in cash and plastic bags.

The Cost to the Nation

Every dollar handed out to secure votes is a dollar stolen from proper governance. That “campaign cash” isn’t coming from the candidate’s generosity—it’s coming from money that could have repaired roads, improved hospitals, or boosted education. Politicians who buy votes don’t see people—they see transactions. And when they get into office, they treat the national treasury like their personal repayment plan.

The Voter’s Role in the Corruption

Let’s not pretend it’s only the politicians at fault. If you take that money and cast your vote for whoever pays the most, you’re selling out your own future. You’re signing a contract that says, “I’m fine with being forgotten the day after elections.” That short-term gain costs years of progress.

The Bottom Line

Vote-buying is not politics—it’s the prostitution of democracy. It destroys trust, breeds corruption, and ensures that leadership is not earned but bought. If a candidate must pay you to vote for them, it’s because they have nothing else to offer. And if you accept it, you’ve just been bought—and so has your silence for the next five years.

In the next election, remember this: real leaders inspire loyalty through vision, service, and results—not cash and cheap favors. Don’t let your vote be a commodity. It’s your power. Use it, don’t sell it.

🎉 Celebrating District 7 Teachers: Empowering Educators, Building Our Future 🎉

Date: September 28 – October 5, 2025

Theme: Empowering Educators: Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability

🌟 Honoring the Heart of Education in District 7 🌟

Teachers are the pulse of our communities — shaping young minds, nurturing character, and building the very foundation upon which our society stands. As we celebrate Teachers' Appreciation Week 2025 under the powerful theme “Empowering Educators: Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability,” we pause to give heartfelt thanks to the exceptional educators of District 7 in Saint Lucia.

From bustling classrooms to quiet moments of encouragement, our teachers are the ones who rise each day with purpose — despite challenges, despite limited resources — because they believe in the future of every child.

📚 Shining the Spotlight on Our Schools

Let us recognize the incredible institutions and the heroes who serve within them:

• Banse Combined School
• Laborie Girls’ Primary School
• Laborie Boys’ Primary School
• Piaye Combined School
• Saltibus Combined School
• Roblot Combined School
• Reunion Primary School
• Mongouge Combined School
• Delcer Primary School

These schools are more than buildings — they are beacons of hope, launchpads of dreams, and safe spaces where futures are molded every single day.

---

💌 A Special Message to Each School’s Educators

To the Banse Combined School teachers:
Your patience and persistence echo in the confidence of your students. Your love reaches far beyond the walls of your classroom. Thank you for staying the course.

To the Laborie Girls’ Primary educators:
You teach not just academics, but grace, strength, and dignity. Your influence nurtures strong girls who will become powerful women.

To the Laborie Boys’ Primary teachers:
Your guidance helps shape young men of vision and value. You are planting seeds of leadership that will serve our nation tomorrow.

To the Piaye Combined School team:
Your passion lights up the most remote corners of our district. You remind us that distance should never define destiny.

To the Saltibus Combined School educators:
Resilient, resourceful, and relentless — your commitment inspires a whole community. Thank you for always showing up with heart.

To the Roblot Combined School teachers:
You prove daily that every child deserves a champion. Your dedication to excellence does not go unnoticed.

To the Reunion Primary staff:
In every lesson you teach, you rebuild dreams. You are champions of inclusivity, care, and creativity.

To the Mongouge Combined School team:
You bring warmth and wisdom into the classroom. Thank you for instilling values that last a lifetime.

To the Delcer Primary educators:
From the mountainside to the world stage, your students are rising because of your belief in them. Keep lifting them higher.

🙌 A Week to Say THANK YOU

District 7 teachers, this week is for you and about you. You are more than professionals — you are mentors, motivators, role models, and sometimes the only safe harbor some children know.

As we celebrate Teachers’ Appreciation Week 2025, let us renew our commitment as a nation to empower our educators, strengthen their resilience, and build a sustainable future by standing with them — not just in word, but in deed.

Thank you for being the backbone of education in Saint Lucia. Your efforts matter. Your impact is immeasurable. And your legacy is forever etched in the hearts of your students.

📝 To all teachers in District 7 and beyond — Happy Teachers’ Week!
We see you. We salute you. We stand with you. 💛

#TeachersWeek2025 #District7Pride #EmpoweringEducators #ThankYouTeachers #Laborie #Saltibus #Piaye #ChoiseulSchools #WeLoveOurTeachers

🔊 A Message from the Administrator: This Blog Is Not a Political Tool

By the Team at Choiseul on the Move

Let’s get something straight.

“Choiseul on the Move” is not, and has never been, a political machine for the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), the United Workers Party (UWP), or any other political organization.

We are a community platform—a people-first, truth-driven, idea-sharing space that aims to reflect the soul, concerns, and progress of Choiseul/Saltibus and Saint Lucia at large. Our commitment is to balanced reporting, critical thinking, and public engagement—not political allegiance.

🌍 Why We Publish Voices from Both Sides

1. Because Our Readers Deserve the Full Picture
   Political echo chambers don’t help a nation grow. Our people need to hear all perspectives to make informed choices—especially with elections looming and major development projects underway.

2. Because We’re Tired of Bias
   Mainstream narratives are often skewed. Choiseul on the Move gives equal real estate to both government supporters and opposition voices. This isn’t just fairness—it’s necessary.

3. Because Democracy Depends on Dialogue
   Real democracy thrives not on agreement, but on respectful disagreement. Whether you're for or against a candidate, we believe your voice deserves to be heard and respected on our platform.

4. Because the Issues Are Bigger Than the Parties
   When we talk about youth employment, community centers, roads, water supply, or the reconstruction of St. Jude’s Hospital—we’re talking about people’s lives, not party colors. The development of Choiseul/Saltibus must never become hostage to partisan politics.

5. Because Our Community Is Diverse
   Our readers come from Roblot, Piaye, Delcer, Mongouge, La Fargue, Saltibus, Morne Sion, and everywhere in between. They include farmers, teachers, contractors, youth leaders, the unemployed, and retirees. To pretend they all vote one way would be a disservice to our reality.

🔁 What You’ll See on This Blog

✅ Criticism of both UWP and SLP when they fall short
✅ Praise when it’s deserved—no matter the source
✅ Opinion pieces from a wide range of community members
✅ Hard questions and calls for accountability
✅ Spotlight on community voices, not political elites

🚫 What You Won’t See Here

❌ Paid propaganda
❌ Party directives
❌ Censorship of dissenting opinions
❌ Political favoritism disguised as journalism

💬 Our Invitation to You

We welcome contributors from every walk of life—whether you're red, yellow, green, or somewhere in between. What matters to us is truth, clarity, and relevance to the people of Choiseul/Saltibus. Send your stories, your views, your reports, your rebuttals. Let’s build a platform that reflects us all.

Let us be very clear: Choiseul on the Move doesn’t dance to the tune of any party. We serve only one agenda—the people’s.

🖊️ Yours in community journalism,
The Administrator
📍 https://choiseul-inform.blogspot.com

Mixed Signals and Political Mischief: A Word to Darrion Louis

Mr. Darrion Louis, let’s be clear.

Your recent Facebook post—cloaked in poetic ambiguity—raises more red flags than inspiration. While you claim the “dream remains,” your motives seem muddled, and your message dangerously borders on sowing seeds of division just when your party should be focused on unity and clarity.

You wrote:

"On to you Mr. Keithson Kiffo Charles and Mr. Philip J. Pierre..."

"Seven years later the yearning is unchanged...Who among you will commit to making that vision real?"

Excuse us, sir, but are you campaigning... or grandstanding?

You were part of the SLP candidate vetting process and you knew what signing up meant. You put your name in the hat, and the party chose someone else—Keithson “Kiffo” Charles. That’s democracy. That’s internal party discipline. That’s how political machinery works.

So why now, are you acting like an independent critic or a shadow candidate?

Disguised Undermining?

This part of your post is especially telling:

"I remain convinced that I-3 is the decisive box in the coming election."
"Which candidate will convincingly deliver this dream and persuade our YOUNG PEOPLE to vote?"

This reads like a subtle jab. A passive-aggressive challenge to Kiffo’s leadership and the Prime Minister’s influence. If you truly believe in the SLP and the cause you once pursued under its banner, this is not the time to play armchair quarterback.

This is not a neutral reflection. This is political sabotage in soft-focus. And the people of I-3 are not blind.

If You're Out, Then Step Back. Or Be Honest About Stepping Forward Again.

If you intend to support the party and help the candidate the people didn’t reject—but the party selected—then rally behind Kiffo with strength and solidarity. If not, come out boldly and state your intentions.

This in-between stance—neither supportive nor oppositional, neither candidate nor comrade—is confusing at best and misleading at worst.

The community is watching. They want clarity, not cryptic riddles. They want leadership, not lingering bitterness. And most of all, they want you to choose a lane.

Final Thought

You said, “The dream remains though the players may shift.”

Yes, players shift—and true team players accept that shift with grace and support the new lineup. If you're not playing anymore, don’t heckle from the sidelines.

I-3 will decide nothing if it’s torn by ego and entitlement.

Respect the process. Respect the people. And if your dream is real—don’t weaponize it against your own team.

Let’s not confuse ambition with disruption.

🩺💰 UWP’s $75K Health Insurance and Levy Removal: A Bold Promise That Hits Home

Imagine this.

Your mom slips and breaks a hip. Surgery is needed. The cost? $22,000. And the worst part? You have no coverage. You panic. Your bank account isn't prepared, and you’re stuck choosing between her health and your rent.

Now imagine this: You call a hotline, give your NIC number, and the hospital tells you, “You’re covered. Up to $75,000 annually. No levy. No red tape. Just care.”

That’s the kind of vision the United Workers Party (UWP) is painting as they prepare to hit the campaign trail. And whether you bleed yellow, red, or none at all, this promise is raising eyebrows—and hopes.

🟡 The Offer on the Table

Let’s break it down. UWP’s platform includes:

✅ Eliminating the 2.5% Health & Security Levy—a tax that many argue burdens workers and businesses alike.
✅ Introducing a National Health Insurance Scheme offering every Saint Lucian up to EC $75,000 in annual medical coverage.

This is part of their wider SOS-7 (Save Our Saint Lucia) agenda—a campaign that touches on issues like fuel prices, crime, and education. But this healthcare promise? It’s the real scene-stealer.

💡 Why This Is Catching Fire With the Public

1. It Hits the Pocket, Where It Hurts Most

Let’s be honest. The 2.5% levy may sound small, but when every dollar counts, getting rid of it is a clear, feel-good move. It says:

“We trust you to manage your money better than the government does.”

Couple that with free health insurance? That’s putting money back in people’s pockets and offering a safety net at the same time. It’s smart politics—and practical too.

2. Health Is Personal

This isn’t about abstract GDP figures or national debt. It’s about you, your child, your parents, and the peace of mind that you won’t go broke just because you get sick.

At EC $75,000 per person, this isn’t just a symbolic gesture. It’s a lifeline, especially for working-class and middle-income families who can’t afford private insurance and are frustrated with under-equipped public health services.

3. A Sharp Contrast with the Status Quo

UWP isn’t just making promises—they’re positioning themselves as the alternative to disappointment.
They argue that over $60 million has been collected from the current levy... but where are the results? Crowded hospitals. Shortages in medication. Patients lying on stretchers.

By proposing to remove the tax AND still give more, they draw a powerful contrast—and dare the electorate to believe again.

4. Clear, Catchy, and Campaign-Ready

Politically speaking, it’s brilliant.

• “We’ll scrap the levy.”
• “You’ll get $75K in coverage.”

It’s simple, memorable, and looks great on a billboard. In an election season where clarity sells, this is prime material.

😐 But… Is It Too Good to Be True?

Let’s be balanced. Promises are sweet, but delivery is everything. So voters are right to ask:

🛠️ How will it be funded? Removing a levy means losing a revenue stream. Can the economy afford that and health insurance?
📋 What will the system look like? Will it be universal? Will private doctors be included? How fast will claims be processed?
🤔 Can we trust this to be more than just campaign talk? Saint Lucians have been burned before.

These are real concerns. And any party proposing major reforms must show how they’ll deliver, not just what they’re offering.

🗳️ Final Thoughts: Sweet Words or Game-Changer?

Whatever your political leaning, you have to admit—it’s a bold promise. And boldness sells in elections.

This isn’t just about votes. It’s about hope. It’s about daring to imagine a Saint Lucia where health care doesn’t send us to the poorhouse, and where taxes serve people—not drain them.

Whether the UWP can actually pull it off is a question for policy analysts, economists, and the ballot box. But one thing is clear:

This is the kind of promise that gets people talking, thinking… and voting.

🔁 What do you think?
Would you support this healthcare plan? Do you believe it’s achievable—or just another fairy tale? Drop your thoughts in the comments or message us on Facebook.

Let’s talk about it. Because your health isn’t a luxury—it’s a right. 💛🇱🇨

A CALL TO BOTH CANDIDATES IN CHOISEUL/SALTIBUS 🌟

Leadership begins long before the votes are counted.

As the general election draws near, we call on both candidates vying to represent the people of Choiseul/Saltibus to rise above the noise and lead with dignity, fairness, and purpose.

🗳️ This election is more than a competition—it’s a test of character, a measure of your respect for the people, and an opportunity to uplift our democracy.

Let this campaign be a reflection of the best in you—and in us as a community.

✅ Speak truthfully. Don’t twist facts or spread lies to score points.
✅ Focus on solutions, not slander. Choiseul/Saltibus deserves ideas, not insults.
✅ Respect every voter—young or old, red or yellow, friend or critic.
✅ Inspire, don’t incite. Your supporters will mirror your tone—lead them wisely.
✅ Shake hands. Not just at rallies—but in spirit. This is about service, not war.

Let’s not turn neighbours into enemies over politics. Let’s not poison the future with division and dirty tricks. Let the legacy of this election be unity, decency, and vision.

To the candidates: when you walk into homes, churches, and village squares, walk in not as saviours—but as servants. Show us why you're fit to lead—not just by your promises, but by your conduct.

🕊️ Lead with peace. Campaign with integrity. Respect the people.

Let’s make this a campaign Choiseul/Saltibus can be proud of!

#ChoiseulSaltibus #Election2025 #LeadershipWithDignity #BetterTogether #RespectTheVote

The Silent Strategy: Is the SLP Taking Voters in Castries North and Central for a Ride?

In the spirited race to the next general elections, the United Workers Party (UWP) has already placed all 17 of its candidates on the battlefield—a clear sign of readiness and strategic clarity. On the other side, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) appears to be playing a more mysterious game. While it has made several candidate changes across key constituencies—even unseating sitting MPs in some cases—it has remained noticeably silent on Castries North and Castries Central, leaving voters to question: What exactly is the Labour Party’s endgame here?

Let’s not forget: In the last election, both Stephenson King (Castries North) and Richard Frederick (Castries Central) ran as independents, defying party labels but clearly aligning with the values and direction of the SLP-led administration. After their wins, both men were welcomed into the fold of government, not as backbenchers or silent supporters, but as key ministers—King at Infrastructure, Frederick at Housing.

Yet here we are, standing at the brink of another election cycle, and neither man has been formally accepted as a Labour candidate. The SLP has delayed or outright avoided declaring them as standard bearers under their official banner. Meanwhile, constituencies like Castries East, Vieux Fort South, and Dennery South already have their candidates on the ground, knocking on doors and making their case.

So, what gives?

The Questions Voters Deserve to Ask

If both King and Frederick were deemed good enough to hold major ministerial portfolios, why the hesitation in formally endorsing them as Labour candidates?

Is the SLP afraid of internal backlash from its grassroots members who still view King and Frederick as “outsiders” or “opportunists”?

Is the party trying to ride on their personal popularity in those constituencies without officially absorbing them into the party—just in case things go south?

This approach smacks of political opportunism cloaked in silence. It’s as if the SLP wants to eat its cake and still have it—benefiting from the political capital of King and Frederick without paying the price of transparency and loyalty to the party base.

Is This Fair to the Electorate?

Absolutely not.

By failing to confirm their candidates in Castries North and Central, the Labour Party is essentially playing a waiting game, possibly to gauge public sentiment or avoid internal fractures. But in doing so, it leaves voters in limbo, unsure of who exactly is representing them or what party banner their MP will fly under once elected.

If the SLP genuinely believes in democratic values and openness, it must come clean with the electorate. Either Stephenson King and Richard Frederick are part of your team, or they’re not. You can't keep voters in the dark just to serve political convenience.

A Dangerous Precedent

The longer the SLP delays, the more it appears to be using these two constituencies as pawns, not partners in progress. It also raises the larger question: What else is the SLP hiding from the electorate? If this level of manipulation is happening at the candidate selection level, what can we expect when policy decisions roll out post-election?

Final Thought: The People Are Watching

Saint Lucians are politically aware. They may not shout in the streets every day, but they are paying attention. The silence around Castries North and Central is not just a strategy—it’s a message. And come election day, the people will have the final say.

We deserve transparency. We deserve accountability. We deserve better.

🗳️ Don’t be taken for a ride.

🗳️ Is Saint Lucia Heading for Its Lowest Voter Turnout Yet?

As whispers grow louder about the possibility of early general elections in November 2025—well ahead of the official 2026 date—there’s one question more pressing than who wins:

Will enough Saint Lucians even show up to vote?

Recent trends suggest we might be headed for one of the lowest voter turnouts in our electoral history.

📉 Voter Turnout in General Elections: A Downward Spiral

Here’s how Saint Lucia has fared over the past four election cycles:

Election Year	Voter Turnout
2006	58.46 %
2011	56.14 %
2016	53.45 %
2021	51.08 %

That’s a steady decline of over 7% in just 15 years.

Unless something drastic changes, 2025 (or 2026) could break a troubling record for the lowest turnout in our modern voting history.

🚨 Why Are Saint Lucians Staying Home?

Let’s break down the key factors driving this disengagement:

1. Disillusionment with Politics

Many voters—especially in rural districts and working-class communities—feel abandoned after elections. Community centres remain closed. Promised projects stall. Political leaders seem out of touch until it's time to campaign again.

➡️ The sentiment is clear: “Why vote if nothing changes?”

2. Young People Tuned Out

A large portion of first-time voters and millennials are disengaged. They see politics as old, elitist, and irrelevant to their realities—jobs, cost of living, housing, and education. With no real youth-centered platforms, many simply opt out.

3. Policy Fatigue and Broken Promises

From the controversial 2.5% levy implemented during economic hardship to the lack of transparency on the GPH–SLASPA port deal, trust in leadership is eroding across party lines.

4. Election Day Barriers

The 2021 elections—held during the COVID-19 pandemic—revealed practical concerns like outdated voter rolls, elderly access issues, and lack of polling station support. These barriers remain unaddressed and may further depress turnout.

🇱🇨 The Danger of Apathy

When voter turnout drops, democracy suffers.
Power consolidates in the hands of a few.
Elections become less about the will of the people and more about who can mobilize a loyal base.

A low turnout election means decisions about Saint Lucia’s future—roads, schools, healthcare, jobs—are made by less than half the population.

🗣️ What Needs to Be Done?

✔️ Launch Civic Education Campaigns
Go beyond voter registration. Teach why voting matters—especially in schools, youth centres, and churches.

✔️ Engage the Disengaged
Parties must offer real platforms, debates, and face-to-face time—not just social media memes or rum-and-food events.

✔️ Fix the System
Clean up the voter list. Make polling stations more accessible. Offer early voting and absentee options.

🔚 Final Word

Whether the election is this year or next, Saint Lucia stands at a crossroads.

This is not about red or yellow—it’s about representation, responsibility, and restoring faith in our democracy.

🗳️ Don’t let your silence become someone else’s power.
🇱🇨 Saint Lucia decides. Will YOU show up?

When Power Crosses the Line: Why Saint Lucia Must Stand With Eldrise Charles

It happened in broad daylight — not in a dark alley, not in a hidden corridor, but in full view of the Parliament of Saint Lucia.

A woman — a journalist — stood firm, doing her job, reporting from the grounds of the people’s house. And in a moment that has since been captured in a now-viral security video, she was allegedly assaulted by none other than Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Ernest Hilaire.

Yes. You read that correctly.
A female journalist.
An elected minister.
A country watching in silence.

But silence is no longer an option.

Abuse of Power is Still Abuse

Journalism is not a crime.
Protesting is not a threat.
But when a man in power lays hands on a woman — physically, verbally, or otherwise — it’s not “passion,” it’s not “politics,” and it’s not “misunderstanding.”
It is assault. It is abuse of power. And it must be condemned.

Reports from The Voice, UnitedPac St. Lucia, and a string of online sources have confirmed the seriousness of this allegation. The journalist, Eldrise Charles, courageously filed a report with the police. Evidence has emerged. Public support is mounting.

Yet the halls of Parliament remain eerily quiet.

Instead of leading with dignity and ensuring justice, the Speaker of the House has chosen to peddle doubt and false framing, failing in his most basic duty — to protect the sanctity of Parliament and the safety of all who enter its gates.

Where Is the Outrage?

Where are the statements from Cabinet?
Where are the apologies, the suspensions, the investigations that should have started the very next day?

This isn't about party lines — it’s about moral lines, and one has been crossed.

Women across this nation are watching.
Journalists across the region are taking note.
And Saint Lucians, whether red or yellow, should be ashamed that our democracy is being so blatantly disrespected.

We Must Take a Stand

We stand with Eldrise Charles, not just because she is a woman, or a journalist, but because what happened to her could happen to any one of us — if we let this slide.

We demand:

• ✅ An independent investigation
• ✅ A public apology
• ✅ A retraction from the Speaker of the House
• ✅ A clear message from Parliament that abuse — in any form — is unacceptable

🇱🇨 Saint Lucia, This Is a Test of Our Integrity

Every time we stay silent in the face of injustice, we chip away at the kind of country we claim to be.
Do we believe in truth?
Do we believe in freedom of the press?
Do we protect women?
Or do we only care when it’s politically convenient?

Let this moment be a turning point.
Let this moment show the world that Saint Lucia still has a backbone.
Because if we can’t defend one woman with a microphone, what hope do we have of defending democracy itself?

#StandWithEldrise
#ProtectThePress
#NoToAbuseOfPower
#SpeakerMustRetract
#SaintLuciaIsWatching