On December 1, 2025, all eyes won’t only be on Castries or the big city seats. Quietly but decisively, Choiseul/Saltibus is shaping up to be one of the real nail-biters of this general election. Everything on the ground suggests one thing: this seat is heading for a photo finish.
The days when any seat in Saint Lucia could be called “safe” are gone. Voters are more independent, more informed, and far more willing to punish parties and candidates who take them for granted. Choiseul/Saltibus, with its mix of traditional strongholds and genuine swing areas, is a perfect example of that new political reality.
From Comfortable Lead to Knife-Edge Contest
In the last general election, the margin in Choiseul/Saltibus was not a landslide. It was close enough that a few dozen votes in a handful of polling divisions could have changed the result. That is exactly what makes 2025 so tense. Both the United Workers Party (UWP) and the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) know that this is a seat where every single vote matters.
This time around, the race pits an experienced incumbent against a new but energetic challenger. One offers a record, the other offers a fresh start. Both have roots in the community and both are working overtime to persuade the undecided voter who may only make up their mind in the last week – or even on election day itself.
Incumbent vs. Challenger: Two Different Stories
On one side is the sitting MP, well known across the constituency, with years of visibility, constituency projects and a clear presence in the national political conversation. Supporters point to his accessibility, his experience, and his ability to “get things done” for Choiseul/Saltibus.
On the other side is the challenger, a first-time candidate who is far from a stranger in the community. He carries the energy of someone with something to prove and has been busy walking lanes, visiting homes, listening, and promising a different style of representation. For many younger voters and those who feel left out of past decision-making, that message is attractive.
Micro-Battles in the Polling Divisions
Choiseul/Saltibus is not one political mood. It is a patchwork of communities and polling divisions, each with its own story:
- Traditional strongholds that usually line up behind one party and provide a base of reliable votes.
- Emerging Labour pockets where the SLP has been gaining ground steadily over the last few cycles.
- Real swing boxes where a shift of 10 to 20 votes can flip the outcome for the entire constituency.
It is in these swing boxes that the real drama lies. Turnout, last-minute persuasion, and even the mood on talk shows and social media in the final days can tip the balance. A handful of families changing their minds, or a group of youth deciding to vote for the first time, could decide who becomes the next MP.
The Issues Turning Up the Heat
Voters in Choiseul/Saltibus are not only talking about red and yellow. They are talking about very real, very personal issues that affect daily life:
- St Jude Hospital and health care – frustration with delay, blame across administrations, and a call for honesty and results.
- Roads and basic infrastructure – from Delcer to Mongouge and La Fargue, people want to know who really fought for better roads and safer access.
- Jobs and cost of living – rising prices, limited job options and the struggle to make ends meet are front and centre in many conversations.
- Respectful politics – many residents are tired of name-calling, insults and fake news. They want mature leadership that can disagree without destroying the community spirit.
Why This Looks Like a True Photo Finish
Put it all together and the picture is clear: Choiseul/Saltibus is heading for a tight result. We have:
- A constituency with a history of close margins.
- An incumbent with strong name recognition but also serious questions to answer.
- A challenger with energy, local roots and the backing of a motivated national campaign.
- Polling divisions where a small shift in votes will decide the winner.
This is why, on election night, Choiseul/Saltibus is likely to be one of the last seats that analysts will confidently call. Expect phrases like “too close to call”, “neck and neck” and “we have to wait for the final box”.
A Final Word to Voters
However you intend to vote on December 1, 2025, remember this: your “X” is part of a much bigger story. Choiseul/Saltibus will not just be electing an MP; it will be sending a message about the kind of politics we want going forward.
Before you put pen to paper:
- Look carefully at each candidate’s behaviour, not just their promises.
- Think about who has shown respect, consistency and genuine care for people on the ground.
- Vote, not out of fear or anger, but with a clear mind and a long-term vision.
When the last box is counted at the Choiseul Police Station and the final figures are read out, the result may be close, but the message can be loud and clear: Choiseul/Saltibus believes in strong views, fair play, and peaceful, mature democracy.
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