Kiffo Charles Launches Campaign with a Call for “A New Beginning”

CHOISEUL/SALTIBUS – November 2, 2025.

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The night skies over La Farge Playing Field were heavy with showers of blessing, but that didn’t stop supporters from gathering as Keithson “Kiffo” Charles officially launched his political journey under the banner of the Saint Lucia Labour Party.

What unfolded was no ordinary stump speech—it was a declaration of intent, a pledge of trust, and a reminder that the once-quiet constituency of Choiseul/Saltibus has a voice that’s ready to be heard.

From Silence to Signal

“Too long our silence has been mistaken for satisfaction,” Charles declared. “The season of silence is over.”
The crowd erupted, sensing the rebirth of political energy in a community often described as calm and reserved. His words set the tone for a night that mixed personal testimony with sweeping promises.

Building Trust Brick by Brick

Kiffo’s speech was deeply personal. He recounted wiring homes as an electrician, helping families keep their lights on, and playing music to raise funds for the sick.
“Every house wired, every fundraiser was a brick in the foundation of trust,” he said. That simple message—service before power—struck home with a constituency weary of empty talk.

The Policy Punchlines

Charles used the platform to underline the government’s record: payment of CXC fees, laptop distribution, a new minimum wage, higher pensions, and permanent status for hundreds of home-care workers.
He promised that the long-awaited St. Jude Hospital will soon be completed and vowed to never “give away our lands” as he referenced the controversial Vieux Fort land-lease deal.

The Vision: A New Beginning

Kiffo’s recurring phrase—“a new beginning”—became the heartbeat of the night.
He laid out a plan for community-based development:

• a multi-purpose mini-stadium at La Fargue to revive sports glory,

• better road access for valleys like Ravineau, Caffiére and Park Estate,

• stronger community tourism and artisan support,

• and a revived Queen Show and Carnival tradition celebrating Choiseul’s culture and beauty.

He also promised to champion farmers and youth entrepreneurs, pledging to lobby Cabinet “until the South gets its fair share.”

A Constituency Rooted in Legacy

Invoking the memory of his late uncles Dr. Augustine “King Bolo” Charles and Joseph “T Charles” Charles, and the enduring influence of his grandmother, Kiffo placed himself squarely within the lineage of Choiseul’s “cradle of giants.”
He proudly listed the likes of Dr. Kenny Anthony, George Theophilus, Goddard Darcheville, and Vernon Francois as proof of the community’s historic leadership role in Saint Lucia’s progress.

Fact Check and Reality Check

Much of Kiffo’s policy praise—CXC fees, laptops, wage reform, pension adjustments, and caregiver regularisation—aligns with government records.
However, some promises and critiques, such as the “99 cents per acre” land claim and the EC $1.6 million CDF allocation, remain politically contested. Independent data verification will be essential as the campaign unfolds.

An Emotional Close

Closing just before midnight, Charles reminded the audience that the date—All Souls Day—was sacred.
“Let tonight mark the end of the old way,” he said. “And let tomorrow, my birthday, be the first day of our new beginning.”
The crowd responded with chants of “Better Together.”

Final Word

Kiffo Charles’s launch speech was not short on passion, history, or ambition. It connected deeply with local emotion while sketching a bold, forward-looking roadmap.
Whether the promises survive the test of governance will depend on that same theme he hammered all night—trust.

👉 Read the full transcript: Download the complete speech (Word)