Crowds March as Babonneau Candidates Declare: ‘We’re Ready’

The Babonneau constituency in Saint Lucia is set to elect a new parliamentary representative on December 1, following the formal nomination filings of John Paul Estephane from the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and Titus Preville from the United Workers Party (UWP) on Friday. The nomination process took place at the Babonneau Secondary School, where both candidates were accompanied by enthusiastic supporters marching from their respective constituency offices. Both Estephane and Preville expressed unwavering confidence in securing victory in the upcoming general election. Estephane, who was confirmed as the SLP candidate in late August, replacing outgoing MP Virginia Albert-Poyotte, emphasized his deep-rooted connection to the community. ‘I have been with the people. I am a community man, a humble person. A lot of people know me,’ he stated, attributing his strong support to the SLP administration’s efforts and the popularity of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre. Preville, greeted by jubilant UWP supporters, highlighted his party’s ambitious proposals, including youth-focused mortgage programs, $25,000 business grants, and measures to reduce the cost of food and fuel. He also criticized the current government for its governance failures, particularly the absence of Citizenship by Investment (CIP) reports. Preville promised transformative reforms if the UWP regains power, vowing to address rising living costs and implement universal health insurance. ‘We are on the cusp of a revolutionary change in Saint Lucia,’ he declared.