Caribbean News Service (CNS).
CASTRIES, St. Lucia, May 19 2016 – The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has called on Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony to stop playing “silly games” with the electorate and announce the date for the general election.
UWP leader, Allen Chastenet, told a news conference that St. Lucians should turn their backs on the latest attempt by the Prime Minister to resuscitate his flagging popularity and political fortunes, by promising “goodies’ ahead of the general election that should be held later this year.
Chastanet told reporters that it is reprehensible for Anthony, who is also Finance Minister to refuse to present an official budget statement to Parliament but was now offering to substitute this with 15 “political trinkets” in the form of plans and promises by a future Labour government.
“This is a continuous game of deception being played out by a Prime Minister, who knows he is no longer held in high regard and trusted by the majority of citizens. If Dr. Anthony had solid plans and programmes for the country, he would have followed up the laying of the Appropriation Bill in Parliament with the presentation of a much needed budget.
But, he knows that the opposition was planning to unmask the shortcomings of any such package, so, following our presentation of the “Five to Stay Alive” programme, he now says he has 15 trinkets to offer the people of St. Lucia. This is scandalous and reprehensible behaviour on the part of a Prime Minister,” Chastanet said.
In a statement on Tuesday the ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) said that Dr. Anthony will outline 15 pledges for an SLP government over the next five years when he addresses party supporters at a rally in the capital on Thursday night.
The SLP announcement comes one week after the UWP outlined its five point package of plans and programmes including immediate tax relief and the eventual removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Chastanet said that the SLP’s pledge is a response to the positive feedback of the UWP’s “Five to Stay Alive” initiative.