CASTRIES, St. Lucia - The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) Tuesday said it had rejected the resignation of its leader, Allen Chastanet, saying he will continue to remain in the position “until the upcoming convention”.
Allen Chastanet and his wife show off their voting finger after casting their ballot in the December 1 general election.In a statement, UWP public relations officer, Leonard Spider Montoute, said that the party had convened a meeting of the National Council, its highest decision making body on Monday “ to discuss recent political developments, including the resignation submitted” by Chastanet.
“After thorough deliberation, the body reached a clear and unanimous decision not to accept the resignation at this time. Allen Chastanet will therefore continue to serve as party leader until the upcoming convention.”
Chastanet had tendered his resignation less than a week after he led the party to a second consecutive defeat in general elections here on December 1.
Chastanet, 65, a former prime minister was the only candidate from the UWP to have won a seat in the elections, which was won by the ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) headed by Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre, who is expected to be sworn into office later on Friday.
The SLP won 14 of the 17 seats in the Parliament, while the two “independents”, Stephenson King, a former prime minister and Richard Frederick, both of whom served in the last Pierre administration regained their seats.
In the 2021 general election, the UWP under Chastanet won two seats.
In its brief statement on Tuesday, the UWP said that it “remains committed to serving the public interest, strengthening our organization and working constructively toward our shared goals.
“We thank our members, supporters and the public for their continued trust,” it added.
