During a sitting of the House of Assembly on Jan. 30, government MPs reiterated their support for Prime Minister Hon. Allen Michael Chastanet.

Following a day-long debate, 11 MPs out of 17 voted against a ‘no-confidence’ motion in the Prime Minister presented by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, which also called for the resignation of the prime minister. Several MPs also spoke in support of Prime Minister Chastanet.

MP for Choiseul and Minister for Commerce, Industry, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Bradley Felix, spoke about the caring nature of the prime minister and the investments the government has made in the rehabilitation of schools, the maintenance of the roads and the extensive road rehabilitation programme, investments in equipment for the police, and the new measures that have been implemented to tackle crime, such as the reopening of the forensic lab.

“There are now opportunities for Saint Lucians to become their own bosses. There are now opportunities to become entrepreneurs, to be masters of our own fates,” MP Felix told the House of Assembly. “I have every confidence in the Hon. Allen Chastanet as prime minister.”

Parliamentary Representative for Micoud North and Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Hon. Gale TC Rigobert, said: “It was this prime minister who gave us the resources to rehabilitate the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School—outside of the $10 million that he gave later on in the year to address similar issues in other schools around the country.” Dr. Rigobert also reminded the Chamber of several other areas under her portfolios where Prime Minister Chastanet had supported efforts to improve the circumstances of Saint Lucians.

Castries Central MP, and Minister with responsibility for External Affairs, Hon. Sarah Flood Beaubrun, spoke of government’s plans for healthcare, including the introduction of National Health Insurance and the completion of the Saint Jude Hospital.

“This prime minister has pledged his commitment to National Health Insurance so that people will be able to access the services,” she said. “I have served under a number of prime ministers. This prime minister empowers his ministers and encourages creativity. It is an honour to serve in the Cabinet led by the Hon. Prime Minister.”

Also speaking against the motion was the Parliamentary Representative for Anse La Raye and Canaries, and the Minister for Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries, Hon. Dominic Fedee; MP for Babonneau and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Co-operatives, Hon. Ezechiel Joseph; and the Parliamentary Representative for Castries South East, Hon. Guy Joseph.