History will show that Choiseul/Saltibus didn’t just drift into a Kiffo victory — a few people stuck their necks out early and said, “If Labour is serious about winning this seat, Keithson ‘Kiffo’ Charles is the man.”
Last night, with the preliminary numbers declaring him the winner for Choiseul/Saltibus on behalf of the Saint Lucia Labour Party, that conviction has aged very, very well.
This post is about giving flowers where they’re due — to Dedan for the pressure he applied through Choiseul on the Move, and to Rayneau Gajadhar for trusting that judgement when it counted.
When Choiseul on the Move Broke from the Crowd
Back when the SLP’s Choiseul/Saltibus candidacy was still in limbo, many names floated around — Darrion, Pauline, Mervin and Kiffo. But while others debated quietly, Choiseul on the Move took a bold stance.
The blog openly questioned the suitability of certain hopefuls, highlighting the risks of candidates who might divide the base or struggle to build trust. With calm but confident analysis, the blog pointed consistently toward one conclusion:
“If Labour wants a real fight in Choiseul, don’t gamble. Choose the one who can match Bradley’s ground game — and still unify the constituency.”
That “one” was Keithson “Kiffo” Charles.
Pressure, Polling Divisions and Roblot Reality Checks
Another message echoed repeatedly across the blog: Roblot matters. A lot.
For months, Choiseul on the Move reminded party strategists that ignoring Roblot — a historically decisive polling division — could be the difference between winning and losing the seat.
By pairing this with strong warnings about risky candidate experiments, the blog shaped a clear thesis:
Labour needed a grounded candidate with deep roots, community respect, and the ability to connect across Delcer, Roblot, La Fargue, Mongouge, and more.
Dedan pushed that message boldly and consistently. And he didn’t do it for likes — he did it because he reads the constituency like a local map in his head.
From Prediction to Reality: Bradley vs. Kiffo
Once the SLP officially selected Keithson “Kiffo” Charles, the blog sharpened its analysis further. It described the race as an “election night nail-biter” — a true down-to-the-wire contest.
The contrast was clear:
- Bradley: recognised, experienced, with tangible constituency projects.
- Kiffo: fresh, calm, respected, and deeply rooted in the soil of Choiseul.
Many doubted it at first. But the blog insisted that a strong, clean, community-centred candidate like Kiffo could shake up the constituency.
Last night, the numbers have proven exactly that.
Rayneau Gajadhar: Trusting the Numbers and the Ground Talk
While political operatives calculated “safe options,” Rayneau Gajadhar was doing something more valuable — listening.
When Dedan shared his early conviction that Kiffo was the right man for Choiseul, Rayneau paid attention. He respected independent analysis and ground truth, not just party chatter. And he supported the judgement that the constituency needed a steady, credible leader.
Last night’s result doesn’t only vindicate Kiffo.
It vindicates a way of thinking:
Listen to the ground. Listen to the people. Trust the voices who have nothing to gain from lying to you.
Giving Flowers Where They’re Due
To Dedan
For using Choiseul on the Move to:
• Ask the hard questions early
• Challenge risky candidate choices
• Highlight the importance of Roblot and the swing boxes
• Push relentlessly for the candidate with the best chance of success
You called it early — and you stood by it.
To Keithson “Kiffo” Charles
For running a respectful, disciplined, people-centred campaign grounded in village values.
Tonight, you delivered.
To Rayneau Gajadhar
For trusting solid judgement and recognising the value of independent analysis.
You saw what many only believed after the numbers arrived.
To the people of Choiseul/Saltibus
For proving that issues-based campaigning still works, and that community voices can reshape political history.
What Comes Next
Now that the celebrations settle, the work begins.
- Praise when it’s earned
- Pressure when it’s needed
- And a reminder that no leader “owns” a seat — leadership is rented from the people, and the rent is paid in service
Choiseul/Saltibus has spoken.
A new chapter begins.
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