United Workers Party Manifesto 2011

United Workers Party
2011 Manifesto
The POWER of WE

The 2011 Manifesto of the United Workers Party Our achievements celebrate the blessings of
features a detailed listing of our achievements as POWER OF WE over the past five years, and
the duty elected government of Saint Lucia from legitimize the power of possibilities that will inspire
December 2006. This record of solid performance our development efforts over the next five years,
in delivering on the promise to secure the greatest leveraging the power of working together as one
good for the greatest number is the platform on people and one nation.
which we seek re-election.
Manifesto 2011 also features comprehensive policy
Our value proposition to the people of Saint Lucia statements which provide the road map from
is all about utilizing the POWER of “WE”. - We the vision to goals, to governance fundamentals, to
people, joining hearts and hands, a nd voices, in priorities on the action plan going forward. This
the cause of a better St. Lucia for all Saint Lucians. all-embracing document will be widely circulated
and will also be available on-line at
Throughout the turmoil of various disasters at www.uwpstlucia.com
home and abroad. It is the POWER OF WE that
worked wonders for us ensuring remarkable results The UWP counts it a great joy and honour to invite
in the worst of times around the world. you to give Manifesto 2011 your most careful
consideration.

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www.uwpstlucia.com

PART ONE

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS ...................................................................................................................4

OUR PRIORITIES : WHAT WE WILL DELIVER ......................................................................... 9

MESSAGE FROM THE POLITICAL LEADER ......................................................................... 13

STATEMENT FROM THE PARTY CHAIRMAN .......................................................................14

OUR VISION ..................................................................................................................................16

2 www.facebook.com/uwpstlucia www.facebook.com/uwpstlucia 3
www.uwpstlucia.com www.uwpstlucia.com

Our
Achievements
The United Workers Party: A History of Unsurpassed Progress. 2. Growth Inducing Measures and Achievements in Agriculture, Tourism and Other Sectors
A consistent record of performance that has provided decades of prosperity to generations of
Saint Lucians. • Launch of a National Competitiveness and projects, despite the difficult global
Productivity Council financial environment:
We are known at home and abroad for sound economic management and delivering on our promises. No • The revitalization of Agriculture. We are
Administration in the history of Saint Lucia has ever had to face and manage within five years, the number now self sufficient in egg production, more - Baywalk - Jalousie Plantation
and extent of external shocks and natural disasters that this Administration has faced: home grown food is consumed locally and Expansion
• The oil price shock – prices rising and • The drought in 2010 the food import bill relative to total - Landings - Renovation and
peaking in July 2008 • Hurricane Tomas in October 2010, costing spending is lower than ever Expansion of Le Sport and
• The food price crisis in 2008 EC$907 million in losses and damage • The development of agriculture including: Ti Kaye
• The global financial crisis in 2008 and • Rising international commodity prices in - Policy decision to return Union to - Mardini - Bank of Saint Lucia
lingering effects right up to the present 2011 agricultural development instead of being headquarters at Massade,
time • Floods in 2011 used as a football playground Gros Islet
• Hurricane Dean in September 2009 (the Gold Project) - Karlione Court - Providence Centre at
- The construction of the Tissue Culture Rodney Bay
In spite of these adversities, the following were achieved under the UWP Administration: Laboratory - Hewanorra - Mercury Court at Choc Bay
1. Macroeconomic Management and Strategies for Keeping the Cost of Living Low - The distribution of some 100 green houses House
- The development of a hatchery for tilapia - FDL Building - Choc Financial Centre
• Positive growth on average for the last five Saint Lucia’s public debt grew by $539 and prawns and the resuscitation of - Morne Du Cap - Johnson’s Superstore at
year term, with a high of 4.4 percent in 2010 million between December 2006 and the agriculture Rodney Bay
• Inflation was contained present. This is less than the SLP’s - Development of orchid production as part
• In 2010, Saint Lucia became the largest $677 million increase in debt between of the agricultural diversification effort • Building of vendors’ booths on Jeremie
economy in the OECS, a position it lost in December 2001 and December 2006 - Commencement of construction of a meat Street and lower Darling Road
1998 under SLP rule - Debt moved from 29.3%of GDP in processing facility in Vieux Fort • Resurfaced the Babonneau, East Coast
• Fiscal discipline, reflected in Saint Lucia December 2001 to 50.2% in December - Opening of a fisheries facility in Road from Praslin to Cannelles and
being one of few ECCU countries without 2006. That is an increase of 20.9 percentage Anse-La-Raye upgrading of the West Coast Road
an IMF programme points. By comparison, the UWP - Reactivation of the Beausejour Agricultural (ongoing)
• Maintenance of Saint Lucia’s country rating Administration increased the debt by 12.8 Station • Rehabilitation of Castries urban roads
of BBB+ because of sound management percentage points to 63% of GDP at the end • Government acquired SLBC shares in • Development of the Gros Islet Waterfront
and strong economic performance of 2010 WINFRESH at a cost of $26.266 million, area
• From 2007 to 2011 Saint Lucia was ranked • Created opportunities for placing greater thus ensuring those shares remain in the • Increased airlift to Saint Lucia
the number one CARICOM country economic power in the hands of ordinary hands of Saint Lucians • Significant increase in tourist arrivals
for Doing Business Saint Lucians • Rehabilitation of agricultural feeder roads • Establishment of a maritime registry
• Tax exemptions to provide relief to • Subsidized basic food items – rice, flour, • WASCO kept in the hands of Saint Lucians • Undertaking a substantial Post Tomas Re
consumers in 2007/08 when world prices Sugar, every year for the last five years. and not sold to foreigners to control and covery and Reconstruction programme
escalated The subsidy for 2011/2012 will be profit from providing precious water to • Establishment of a Regional Integration
• Increase in income tax deduction to approximately $22 million the people and Diaspora Unit in the Office of the
$17,000 from$16,000 • Increase in LPG subsidy to $15 per 20 lb • Payment of entitlement to WASCO workers Prime Minister
• Increase in mortgage allowances to $20,000 cylinder of LPG from $8 in 2006 outstanding for 10 years • Implemented over 200 community
from $16,000 • Against the IMF advice, this government • Maintained investor confidence in the projects island-wide under the
• Reduced the rate of growth of the debt. reduced the excise tax on fuel from economy, evidenced by the many Constituency Development Programme
Despite rising costs resulting from the $3 per gallon to as low as $1.25 per gallon domestic private sector construction
severe external shocks over the past five in June 2011
years,


3. National Security, and Regulatory, Supervisory, Legislative and Governance Initiatives 4. Education, Health, Social Development and Culture

• Violent crime under control. While Labour for Bordelais Correctional Facility and other • Commencement of the process to upgrade programme (social welfare) and pensions
talked about crime reduction for years, we strategic areas around the country the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to various categories of pensioners;
took action. They paid lip service. • Enacted legislation to ensure that there will (SALCC) to a University building footpaths, bridges and homes for
WE TOOK ACTION! Saint Lucians are now not be a repeat of the Rochamel Loan • Reinstatement of allowance for teachers needy persons with the help of the
safer with the UWP Guarantee arrangement attending Teachers’ Training College Taiwanese; providing computer labs in
• The establishment of the Financial Services • Establishment of Rural Councils to broaden • Significantly increased access to university schools and completing the platform for
Regulatory Authority to strengthen the reach of Local Government education through the provision of study e-government to improve the delivery of
regulation and supervision of non-bank • Establishment of a Civil Status Rectification grants and student loan guarantees social and other programmes
financial institutions Office • Re-introduction of school buses • The establishment of HOPE which is
• Provision of closed circuit television (CCTV) • The repair of and upgrading of St. Jude administered by the Saint Lucia Social
hospital which is ongoing Development Fund (SSDF) to help young
• Completion and commissioning of the New people gain skills
Mental Wellness Centre • Constructed a new Senior Citizens Home in
• Start of construction of the New National Black Bay, Vieux Fort
Hospital costing $130 million • Building Human Resource Centres in
• Development of eye care services. Monchy, LaRessource and Laborie and
Establishment of the Eye Care Centre of Grand Riviere
Excellence with assistance from Cuba • Completion of a transit house for children
• Refurbishment of a number of health • Increasing contribution for the arts
centres around the island including carnival and music education
• Implementation of social policy initiatives • Bringing pipe-borne water to residents of la
to prevent vulnerable groups from Bourne
falling into the cracks. These include • Refurbishment of the Gros Islet Town
increasing the number of basic food items; Square
funding for the public assistance


OUR PRIORITIES:
WHAT WE WILL DELIVER

5 Youth and Sports With our new agenda for growth and development, we will continue to lead Saint Lucians towards
prosperity, greater security and a better future.
• The re-establishment of the Saint Lucia • Redevelopment of the Phillip Marcellin
Development Bank (SLDB), along with the Grounds in Vieux Fort The main goal of the UWP Administration will be attaining higher rates of economic growth and reducing
launch of the Small Business Facility • Refurbishment of major playing fields as unemployment, particularly among our youth, over the next five years. In addition, the UWP will focus on
• Launch of the Youth Enterprise Equity Fund well as community playing fields the following priority areas:
at the SLDB, thus providing young people • Completion of the National Tennis Facility at
with project finance and unprecedented Beausejour • Strengthening the environment for job • Reconfiguring the education system to
economic opportunities • Start of the construction and refurbishment creation by the local and foreign private provide a more flexible and relevant
• Refurbishment of the George Odlum of a playing facility at George V Park sector workforce
National Stadium and hosting of • Expanding incentives and making the • Providing the opportunity for the youth to
CARIFTA Games business climate more attractive for local give full expression to their creativity
and foreign investors and sporting prowess, undertake training
• Managing the public debt consistent with and skill development programmes,
the UWP’s economic growth agenda and become gainfully employed and achieve
the need to maintain fiscal sustainability their ambitions
• Employing appropriate strategies to • Provision of expanded transportation
stimulate the productive sector, including infrastructure
modernizing and expanding Agriculture, • Maintaining good governance and the
Tourism, Public Utilities, Housing and our creation of modern local government
Manufacturing base • Construction of adequate facilities for all
• Maintenance of law and order and aspects of the Arts and Culture
continuing to reduce crime • Finalization of a land use policy consistent
• Provision of a modern and efficient health with the 20/20 spatial vision plan already
care system for all developed
• Provision of universal health insurance

New National Hospital

We performed! We delivered! Saint Jude Hospital under going reconstrustion

We kept our promises and managed the economy and country effectively,
despite costly natural disasters and the worldwide recession.


Our Agenda

UWP will develop detailed programmes to pursue the following specific priorities:
• Expand community sporting infrastructure Saint Lucia School of Music to develop
• Reduce unemployment and poverty by and provision of certification programmes island wide to ensure the youth are given music programmes, particularly for the
generating jobs in Tourism, Information to trades men and women (artisans) the opportunity to develop their full youth
and Communications Technology (ICT), • Expand the reach of the Saint Lucia potential in various sporting disciplines • Build a National Cultural Complex to
Green Energy, Construction, Manufacturing Development Bank • Provide an international swimming encompass all the creative and performing
and Agricultural Sectors and the • Establish a National Science and facility in collaboration with the Saint Lucia arts after public consultation
professional and business service areas Technology Centre in the new Anse La Amateur Swimming Association (SLASA). • Strengthen the regulation of insurance and
• Tighten inter-sectoral linkages among Raye/Canaries economic frontier Expand the provision of support to the non-bank sectors
agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and • Modernize and transform the agriculture
other sectors sector to capitalize on opportunities in
• Encourage the development of innovation niche products with export potential
and entrepreneurship as a means of • Open up the eastern corridor between
achieving economic development Monchy and Vieux Fort through
• Review Government’s fiscal policy including development of transportation
its approach to taxation in the context of infrastructure including the construction of
Government’s economic growth agenda a north-east highway from Dennery to
• Reform the domestic business environment Gros Islet
with a focus on increasing the efficiency of • Undertake the redevelopment of
conducting business Hewanorra International Airport
• Develop the mechanisms for the private • Increase investment in health/wellness and
sector to take advantage of regional and sports tourism
international trade agreements and to • Work with LUCELEC to explore ways to
expand production for export reduce electricity costs including the use of
• Work with the private sector to increase alternative energy
productivity throughout the economy • Restore WASCO’s financial viability,
• Re-orient foreign missions to market Saint strengthen its management and the
Lucia for new foreign investment governance environment in which it
• Strengthen building codes to withstand operates and expand its investment in
hurricanes, earthquakes and natural water infrastructure
disasters as much as possible • Provide the environment for increased
• Maintain fiscal prudence investment in affordable housing
• Rationalize government expenditure to • Provide Universal Health Care
enhance efficiencies • Provide specialized health care for local
• Increase the productivity of key towns and people and visitors in select areas
villages through infrastructural • Develop a policy paper on Special
improvement and targeted investment Education for National Consultation and
• Promote and support self-employment implementation and introduce universal
through investment in skills training access to Early Childhood Education


MESSAGE
FROM THE POLITICAL LEADER

Together we have commenced the reconstruction We will continue to ensure that diversification will not the politicians. I will continue to reach out as
of our country. Together we are building a better decentralize development so that north, south, east the weaving of our hands together, will ensure an
country. Our accomplishments are high-lighted in and west will have an opportunity to share in interconnection that will be the foundation for our
this manifesto and are visible in every community. the benefits of our i nvestments. We will continue survival and ultimate success as a nation.
to ensure that development will start with putting
My brothers and sisters, we have held out our resources in the hands of the people. We believe I also take this opportunity to remind every Saint
hands to each other and worked together for a that such an approach will result in the progress of Lucian that with commitment, dedication and
stronger nation. My hand is always outstretched to our entire people and country. effort, all of us together – TEAM SAINT LUCIA – will
you in brotherhood for, as the leader of this nation, enjoy the richness and blessing of our island. I
I am its greatest servant. I have been motivated My leadership style has proven that we can do thank you for the support that you have given to
to serve by a mother who taught me that I am my many things without carrying a big stick. It has me over the last four years and look forward to
brother’s keeper and I am my sister’s keeper. I am demonstrated that listening to the people and serving you under a new and stronger mandate.
Hon. Stephenson King not above you, I am one of you. walking on the ground among the people will
Political Leader
bring us closer to the needs of the people. I will Vote for the United Workers Party!
My fellow Saint Lucians I am motivated by all Saint Lucians, especially by continue to be a leader who will engage with my

Any assessment of our beloved country and its
the youth whose genius must be given appropriate
avenues for positive expression. That is the reason
brothers and sisters. I will speak with you as I do
not have all the answers. I will work with you as
Stephenson King
citizens over the last four years must conclude that why so much effort is going into our youth together we are can share our resources. I will
Political Leader
despite challenge after challenge and disaster after initiatives. I am motivated by our women who work share with you as this country belongs to you and
disaster, Saint Lucia and her sons and daughters ceaselessly for this country, often with no praise or
have weathered the storms and emerged better, word of thanks. I am motivated by all the
stronger and more resilient. We have faced
difficulties with courage and patience and have
refused to give up. We are truly a blessed people.
Saint Lucians who work tirelessly no matter their
political affiliation and will ensure the success of
projects for the good of the country.
The POWER of WE
We overcame when our nation was plunged into I may not be perfect, but every day I put my back to
mourning, when we united in grief over the the grindstone for the benefit of Saint Lucians.
passing of Sir John Compton, the leader of our I promise that I will continue to work tirelessly to
country and political leader of our party. We ensure that all Saint Lucians can live vital,
weathered the storm caused by the global financial sustainable lives. Under my leadership, the United
crisis and recession, where together, we succeeded Workers Party will continue to be committed to
in steering the economy to strong growth of 4.4% the development and enhancement of our small
in 2010, the third year of the crisis. We dealt vulnerable communities and their people. We
effectively with the recent period of violent crime believe that the empowerment of these
when our citizens watched in horror at the communities will enhance the governance of the
inhumanity of a misguided sector of our entire country. We believe that if we give more
population. We came together and today we are people a greater stake in their communities they
safer and feel more secure in our homes and on the will ensure their preservation, protection and
streets. We united and huddled together when we development.
faced the devastation of Hurricane Tomas.


STATEMENT
FROM THE PARTY CHAIRMAN

threatened to diminish the political gains we had it was only in so doing that the progress of the not only speak to our achievements in government,
made. The fortitude, commitment and sense of nation could be guaranteed. As we embark on the but will seek to demonstrate in a tangible and
purpose of our parliamentarians were tested and next leg of the journey in government, we realistic way the vision of our Party for the
our survival as a Party in Government doubted. re-affirmour pledge to the people of Fair Helen by continued success and progress of ALL
ensuring: SAINT LUCIANS.
But it was the resilience and generosity of the
people of Saint Lucia, coupled with the leadership • The Safety and Security of all Citizens To “KEEP THE FLAME OF PROGRESS BURNING” –
of a UWP government which must be singled out • The Provision of Affordable Housing, Health RE-ELECT UWP!
for praise. The responses in the aftermath of the Care and Education
devastation caused by Hurricane Tomas and other • The Continuation of our Economic As Chairman, I take this opportunity to thank all
natural disasters, the International Financial crisis Recovery and Employment Generation members, supporters and well wishers. I look
and not forgetting the inherited crime situation, Programme (Job creation) forward to your continued support of the United
have been spectacular. It has been a daunting task • The Enhancement of our Social and Cultural Workers Party in the upcoming elections and
but on every count our government has risen to the Development Programmes beyond.
challenge. Our success in Government has come • The Empowering of our Communities
from the hard work of the Party and that of its • Good Governance and Social Justice.
committed leader.
This Party believes in the creative strength of our
After the 2006 elections we found a countr plagued
by partisanship and divisiveness and a people
people. We believe in the youth of our nation. We
believe in the core values that characterize the
Clem J. Bobb
demoralized. Discrimination was then the order of Lucian spirit and importantly, we believe in social
Party Chairman
The United Workers Party has completed yet the day upheld by the affirmative action plan of the justice and equity. Therefore, this manifesto will
another journey. This journey began five years opposing party. In the main, this Party in
ago, with the party’s victory at the polls in the 2006 government did not seek to act with political
General Election under the leadership of Sir John expediency, but adopted a conciliatory approach
Compton, father of our nation. Regrettably death to effect social change. The philosophy and ethos
robbed us of our leader. Sir John’s death brought of our party is enshrined in the saying: “To help the
great sadness to the nation. As it has done so many cause that needs assistance and fight the wrong
times in the past, the UWP rose to the challenge of that needs resistance”. And so, our Party during
service to Saint Lucia. this term in office has lived up to its slogan of
UNITY, WORK and PROGRESS.
Political Leader and Prime Minister Stephenson
King, a man of quiet resolve with commitment and Our leader, his love, understanding and
dedication to country, assumed the reins of compassion, his people-oriented and participatory
Government. Under his astute leadership, our approach to governance, his unruffled and calm
nation was guided successfully through one of disposition in time of crisis, are hallmarks of a great
the most turbulent periods in our nation’s history leader. All these qualities saw us through those
marked by the global financial crisis and, natural challenging times. Yes! We united our people, we
disasters such as floods, droughts, earthquakes and created jobs for all Saint Lucians and surely,
hurricanes. The challenges which followed


OUR VISION

SUMMARY OF OUR DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Our vision for Saint Lucia is for a secure, prosperous leadership of Stephenson King, during which local
and dynamic society confidently participating in communities all over Saint Lucia were finally able
Our long term development goals are as follows:
the global community, while maintaining our core to become more integrated with the mainstream
values and faith in God. We foresee a strong social of national economic life because of the social
infrastructure underpinned by a vibrant and and economic programmes that we implemented. • Sustainable growth and a decent standard economic and social development
sustainable economic base providing employment of living underlined by stable • An integrated economy supported by
for all. We envision a resilient and efficient We envision a better Saint Lucia for all citizens macroeconomic fundamentals and well effective linkages among the economic
service-based green economy supported by including higher living standards brought about by developed sectors (Tourism, Agriculture, sectors
a steadily expanding export base, with a sound policies, a stronger work ethic, the Industry, ICT and Energy Sectors) • Safe and secure communities free of crime
highly skilled and empowered human resource and elimination of violent crime, zero tolerance of all • Significant reduction in poverty levels and • Equality of opportunity, treatment and
integrated use of ICT in all facets of the economic forms of crime, the promotion of peace and social provision of adequate social protection for social inclusion with regard to both genders
system. Our forward looking and outward oriented justice and a more caring society, especially where persons who need assistance • Social cohesion
economy will be infused with consistently high our senior citizens and young people are • Increased levels of health and wellness • Diversified and developed energy sources
foreign and local investment, a healthy national concerned. • High and sustainable rates of employment • The pursuit of common developmental
savings rate and a more equitable distribution of of the work force and equal employment goals and strategies with the member
income across classes and districts. We see a leadership role for Saint Lucia in the opportunities for women countries of the OECS and CARICOM and
integration of the Eastern Caribbean and in the • Equitable distribution of income amongst the execution of a foreign policy agenda
Achieving our vision, will allow us to build on our further development of CARICOM. We will work geographical regions and among income geared to mobilizing external resources and
performance over many years, during which our closely with our regional partners to strengthen groups achieving our foreign policy objectives
country was modernized under the leadership of and expand the collective approach to formulating • A highly trained and educated work force • The strengthening of existing and the
Sir John Compton. It will also build on the last four and implementing regional strategies and policies. • High productivity and a sound work ethic forgoing of new strategic alliances,
years of consolidation and growth under the supporting a dynamic economy particularly with emerging economies in
• The full participation of the youth in attracting new Forging Direct Investment

EMPLOYMENT AND JOB CREATION

Our primary concern is to create an economy that the regions of Saint Lucia; the expansion of the
is sufficiently dynamic to generate employment for main economic sectors including tourism,
every able-bodied person who is willing to work. agriculture , industry, ICT and energy; an
We are confident of reducing unemployment extensive programme involving the
significantly over the next five years and have development of the physical infrastructure;
identified programmes and strategies in a range initiatives to stimulate private sector expansion;
of areas in this manifesto, aimed at a focus on communIty dialogue and buy-in and
increasing the rate of employment over the next social programmes to encourage cohesiveness.
five years. These include: education and
training; identification of key growth drivers in all


EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HOUSING

Every country that has made significant strides in sector will be encouraged to provide specialized
its development, has given prominence in public tertiary health care, the education of doctors,
policy to the education of its people. We will work nurses and other health professionals, targeted
towards realizing our vision of an education system investment and financial facilities such as
that provides diverse, world-class training insurance. In its totality, the system will offer
opportunities including technical, vocational, universal health care to Saint Lucians and will also
academic and service oriented, at all levels. Much provide specialized care in key areas to locals and
has been achieved at the levels of primary and visitors from the Caribbean region and the outside
secondary education although there is still a great world.
deal to be done at those levels, but we must
also address the gaps in tertiary education. We will Our vision for the housing sector is to provide all
establish an Education Commission to drive the Saint Lucians with opportunities for proper
necessary transformation required in the education housing. Upper and middle income housing is
system. already provided for to a large extent with the TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC SECTORS: AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM
lower income group catered for to some degree.
Our vision for health care is for a health system However, we must and will address the housing Our vision is to modernize agriculture to allow it to In the north, Port Castries will be further developed
supported by a partnership of the public and needs of occasional workers and those with little or operate along sound business lines, so that farmers into a better port for cruise ships, blending
private sectors. The public sector will provide a well no income. We will examine appropriate cost, can once more enjoy a reliable and sustainable smoothly into the city. We envision the further
structured and efficient system offering high financing and other arrangements and also provide income. We see the emergence of a strong and development of Rodney Bay into a modern
quality basic health care, an effective regulatory mechanisms for young people in need of start-up viable sector that benefits from essential recreation and major convention centre as well as a
and monitoring capability and an enabling housing. infrastructure and adequate support services major yachting destination with a ship registry. The
environment for private health care. The private provided by the Government. whole of Gros Islet will be a special develop-
ment area, with the town being showcased as an
In tourism, our perspective is that our local authentic heritage site. Its links to Martinique will
culture and way of life must be tied into the Saint be developed more fully. We intend to develop
Lucia brand. We see a fully participating people Cul-de-sac into a fully functioning port with
providing a high quality service to the tourist adequate facilities for ocean going vessels,
industry and showcasing our own unique cultural break-bulk facilities and the capacity for handling
heritage in all its forms. large volumes of cargo.


NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIERS CULTURE
We see Vieux Fort as one of three new economic Dennery and Gros Islet. We plan to construct a new A people who understand where they have come will establish in a campus setting, a cultural centre
frontiers with its growth impacting positively on highway to open up the north-east and will provide from and where they stand in the global village, will for the arts including dance, theatre, drama, music
surrounding southern communities. We have appropriate incentives under a modernized Special have a better chance of directing their own future. and academic research. We have already set up a
already earmarked 400 acres of government land Development Areas to make investment in that Our culture embodies who we are as a people. In committee to advance the work with the commu-
for teaching institutions (both local and offshore), area more attractive. recognition of the importance of preserving our nity of artistes.
a national medical centre and other medical and culture and providing avenues for expressing it, we
educational institutions. We expect that in the The third new frontier will be the Anse La Raye and
future, Vieux Fort will become widely known as Canaries belt including numerous surrounding
a university town. We will also reclaim 120 acres of communities neglected for decades by representa-
land to provide home porting for ships, related tives. The mixture of flat and mountainous terrain
services and a financial centre. provides the basis for a wide range of integrated
development programmes which we will establish
All these developments along with a modern or promote, including touristic pursuits and a major
upgraded airport will help create a dynamic science and technology centre linked to industry,
economy in Vieux Fort and the south. agriculture, information technology, our schools
and educational and research establishments
Plans are being laid for the second new economic abroad.
frontier in the north-east corridor between

YOUTH AND SPORTS

Our vision for the youth is for young people to concern to them as well as issues of national and
grow up in an environment of optimism and hope international importance.
for the future, for them to have opportunities to
learn and express themselves freely in their chosen We will continue to expand the community sports
endeavours while participating in, and contributing infrastructure throughout the island to ensure that
to the life of our Saint Lucian community. We will our sportsmen and women, and our young people
expand the avenues for providing the youth with in particular, are given adequate opportunity to
viable opportunities, through initiatives such as a nurture their talents and to excel in their respective
National Youth Development Programme, the sporting disciplines. We will focus on expanding
Youth Enterprise Equity Fund of the Saint Lucia sports programmes in the schools as well as
Development Bank, the effective promotion of academic programmes related to sports, such as
youth and sports groups, social development sports science and sports economics. The school
groups, music and entertainment, discussions programmes will be supported with appropriate
and debates, and the use of an active youth forum infrastructure such as proper gyms, courts and
which we will establish as a matter of priority to recreational facilities, as well as nutritional and
exchange ideas and consider views of direct health programmes.


We will collaborate with the Saint Lucia Amateur leisure, but it will also be available to all Saint
Swimming Association and have earmarked an Lucians as well as individuals and clubs from
area of land in the vicinity of the sports complex at overseas for training.
Beausejour to c onstruct a world-class s wimming
facility which should be ready for major regional We have already partnered with national and
and international swim meets from 2013. Every community groups such as the St. Lucia School of
school child and young person will have the Music and its outreach programme to the youth of
opportunity to use the facility for training or various communities in Saint Lucia.

CRIME AND SECURITY

In spite of our outstanding success in bringing enforcing existing laws; legislating stiffer penalties
violent crime under control, we cannot become and building capacity in the police force. We will
complacent. We intend to establish a National also work together with other OECS and CARICOM
Security Council under an Act of Parliament which countries to strengthen regional policing and
will, in conjunction with existing bodies, provide a provide more in-depth regional training. We will
framework for strengthening national security. establish a full police academy for the OECS, based
in Vieux Fort.
The focus will be on: more community based
security programmes; more vigilant policing; We have never been soft on crime and will continue
strengthening border police in conjunction with with the help of the public to deal decisively with
the RSS, Customs and Immigration; training; criminal activity.
strengthening the prosecution systems;

HOW WE WILL PAY FOR OUR PROGRAMMES
Our vision is for our programmes to be financed by machinery of government including our foreign
the continuation of the high growth rates that we missions, together with targeted strategies for
have achieved recently, as well as greater local and transforming the economy, will provide the growth
foreign investment as the world recovers from the and resources required to finance all our
recession. We are confident that the planned programmes without adding to the overall tax
restructuring and transformation of the burden of the people.


In the toughest of times around the world;
WE, the People’s Leadership Team
Stephenson King
stepped up and DELIVERED
Political Leader
Castries North

Candidates Dr. Gale T C Rigobert
Herricks ‘Watcha’ Renee
Micoud North
Laborie/Augier

Lenard 'Spider' Montoute Ezechiel Joseph
Deputy Political Leader Deputy Political Leader
Gros Islet Babonneau

Arsene James Rufus Bosquet
Micoud South Choiseul/Saltibus

Guy Joseph
Lorenzo “Doddy” Francis Castries South East
Castries South

Nancy Charles Allen Chastanet
Vieux Fort North Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques

Andy Daniel
Richard Frederick Dennery North
Castries Central
Karl Wilfred Daniel Dr. Keith Mondesir
Vieux-Fort South Anse La Raye/Canaries

Edmund Estephane
Guy Mayers
Dennery South
Castries East

Keep the f lames of progress burning VOTE UWP

The New Hewanorra International Airport.
From Vision To Delivery

Improving Our Access to the World:
OUR POLICY
Commitment

26 www.facebook.com/uwpstlucia
www.uwpstlucia.com

1. CONTINUING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND
PART TWO STIMULATING GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT

1. CONTINUING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND STIMULATING The UWP Administration has had to deal with a central place as the largest economy in the OECS
GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT ........................................................................................................... 29 series of external economic shocks and devastating region and in the confidence of the international
natural disasters in relatively quick succession, the community in Saint Lucia.
Creating Jobs Through Economic Growth ............................................................................................................. 30 likes of which had never been experienced before
Revitalizing Agriculture ................................................................................................................................................. 34 by any government. Yet, we displayed courage, Given the extent of the global recession, its slow
Developing a World Class Tourism Product ........................................................................................................... 38 foresight and boldness and were blessed with the pace of recovery and its impact on Saint Lucia, the
Expanding Trade, Industry, Commerce, Entrepreneurship and Investment .............................................. 40 ability and judgment to make the right decisions main focus of our plan for the next five years is to
Expanding Infrastructure for Enhanced Growth and Development ............................................................ 43 and formulate correct strategies in rising to the bring about a significant increase in employment.
Introducing Modern Information and Communication challenge of managing our country, a fact that was In order to do so we have prepared a comprehen-
Technology Throughout the Economy ................................................................................................................... 45 recently acknowledged by the IMF. The results are sive Growth and Employment Programme focusing
Proper Housing: A Basic Right ................................................................................................................................... 47 now self-evident in the strength of the economy on the following principal areas:
Adapting to Climate Change and Caring for the Environment ...................................................................... 49 despite being hit hard by the global recession, in its
Increasing the Output and Productivity of Our Utilities ................................................................................... 50
• Creating Jobs Through Economic Growth Communication Technology Throughout
2. ENHANCING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT .................................................................... 52 • Revitalizing Agriculture the Economy
• Developing a World Class Tourism Product • Proper Housing: A Basic Right
Ensuring Access, Quality and Equity in Education,
• Expanding Trade, Industry, Commerce, • Adapting to Climate Change and Caring for
the Catalyst for Sustainable Development ............................................................................................................ 52
Providing Universal and Specialized Health Care ................................................................................................ 56 Entrepreneurship and Investment the Environment
Giving Full Expression to Culture, the Arts and the Creative Industries ...................................................... 58 • Expanding Infrastructure for Enhanced • Increasing the Output and Productivity of
Harnessing the Talent of Young People and Creating Growth and Development our Utilities
Opportunities for their Development ..................................................................................................................... 59 • Introducing Modern Information and
Caring for our Elderly ..................................................................................................................................................... 61
Recognizing and Empowering Those Who Are Differently Abled ................................................................. 62
Reforming the Pension System : Securing the Financial Future of our Citizens ....................................... 63
Empowering Women and Marginalized Men and Creating Gender Balance ............................................ 64
Reducing Poverty and Empowering the Vulnerable .......................................................................................... 66
Achieving Sporting Excellence and Inspiring the Wellness of the Nation ...................................................68
Creating a Welcoming Environment for Saint Lucians
Returning Home From Overseas ............................................................................................................................... 70

3. EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND PROMOTING GOOD
GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ................................................................................................ 71

Taking Government to the People ............................................................................................................................ 71
Delivering Good Governance ..................................................................................................................................... 72
Keeping our People and Communities Safe .......................................................................................................... 73
Creating an Efficient, Modern and Relevant Public Service ............................................................................ 74

4. FOREIGN POLICY : STRENGTHENING REGIONAL
AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ......................................................... 76

Making Foreign Policy More Effective ..................................................................................................................... 76


Creating Jobs through Economic Growth
Creating jobs will be our main priority during the new five-year term. Increasing the number of jobs How We Will Achieve Our Goal:
created over time depends, among other things, on achieving and sustaining economic growth and we will To increase employment and provide an immediate boost to the economy we will:
ensure that our growth and employment enhancing strategies are implemented early in the new term.

• Commence the construction of the roads
Our Goal following: • Facilitate and provide enabling support for
- Reduce unemployment
Our re-elected administration will focus on increasing employment - Reduce Poverty - Hewanorra International Airport investment by the local private sector
by continuing the strong growth performance that we have chieved - Continue strong Redevelopment Project and foreign investors, particularly in the
so far, ensuring that the benefits of growth are evenly distributed to growth - Finance Administrative Complex tourism sector where the global recession
all the people and devoted to reducing poverty and unemployment - Ensure everyone gets a - Bois d’Orange Hypermart has led to a slowdown in the
while our strategies keep inflation and the cost of living under fair share of the pie - Post Hurricane Tomas rehabilitation implementation of a number of hotel
control. In the new term, we will work to strengthen the linkages - Keep inflation and cost projects funded by the World Bank and the projects
among the economic sectors and groups to provide mutual support of living low Caribbean Development Bank • Review the marginal income tax rate on
for each other so that no effort is wasted. We will continue our - Strengthen sectoral - Castries Waterfront Redevelopment in individuals and corporation tax in
prudent fiscal and economic management which has been praised linkages conjunction with Royal Caribbean keeping with the objective of stimulating
by international organizations like the IMF. - Continue prudent fiscal International, including the construction of economic growth while maintaining fiscal
and economic management a boutique hotel, new vendors’ craft sustainability
market, new ferry terminal, office complex, • Extend the tax holiday arrangements for
super yacht berth, shops, restaurant businesses which invest in tourism and
and a car park manufacturing, to include services,
Human Resorce Centre - A major new highway in the north-east, construction and ICT sectors. Extend the
linking Gros Islet and Dennery, and period of waiver of corporation tax from 15
continue the rehabilitation of the major to 20
east and west coast highways including • Provide a Specialist Medical Facility at
repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Beausejour in Vieux Fort in conjunction
Tomas with private sector partners, to serve
- Police stations in Babonneau and Gros Islet Saint Lucia, the Caribbean and visitors from
and a fire station in Babonneau outside the region and to also serve as a
• Construct and rehabilitate urban and teaching hospital that can also be used by
community roads around the country medical schools located in Saint Lucia
• Build and rehabilitate agricultural feeder

With respect to the projects highlighted above, we
anticipate spending over $350 million in the first year
alone, which is expected to generate over 3,000 jobs!


National Vision Plan

Over the Next Five Years I. A focus on key economic growth drivers to banking, public service functions and
spur economic development and functions related to key economic sectors
employment by region (tourism, agriculture and fishing)
Re-design the approach to education and training working people for the new economy Work - Improving the urban environment to sup
which is the real long-term solution to poverty together with the Private Sector, Trade Unions II. The creation or further development of port local community tourism – related to
and unemployment, to enable everyone who is and all stakeholders to implement the findings of sustainable and inclusive tourism improvement in the day and night
able to work to make a meaningful and rewarding the National Competitiveness and Productivity community initiatives, particularly: economy
contribution to the economy. Accordingly, we Council to improve productivity and competitive- - Improvement in coastal and fresh water
will train our youth and retrain our more mature ness throughout the economy. - Development of the tourism product in quality through the implementation of
local communities especially those not sewage treatment plants and package
• Improve the climate for investment by stronger and more resilient in accordance integrated in existing tour packages: systems in all major towns and villages and
simplifying the requirements for with strict codes of procedure - Encouraging locals to provide small scale suburban housing areas
conducting business by implementing the • Fully implement universal health care and local accommodation (apartments, guest
recommendations in the World Bank education to increase the life span and houses and bed and breakfast) through an IV. Local action area planning for the renewal
Doing Business Report on Saint Lucia active years of people and maximize their incentive programme and accommodation and creation of rural service centres
• Broaden the mandate of our diplomatic contribution to society packaging through the SLTB
missions to identify investment • Ensure that adequate social safety nets - Development of homestay as an V. Improving public services
opportunities for Saint Lucia are in place and functioning, in order to accommodation option built around
• Implement the next phase of our help distribute the benefits of growth and community tourism products that VI. Cross Cutting Interventions to enable
extensive infrastructure programme for development more evenly capitalize on local distinctiveness and niche Economic Development
the construction and rehabilitation of • Implement phase two of our housing tourism markets in Sports Tourism,
roads, bridges, schools and public programme for the needy and the victims Education and Medical Tourism, (a) Transportation and road infrastructure to
buildings of Hurricane Tomas and recent floods and - In conjunction with Stakeholders, reduce drive times, reduce congestion and
• Build Back Better! Hurricane Tomas disasters develop the physical framework facilitate easy communication between the
exposed our building and construction • Implement the next phase of the National to support the development of the north and south of the island
deficiencies and we will implement a new Vision Plan over the next five years local night economy: entertainment, (b) A sustainable supply of water for economic,
strategy to ensure that our structures are restaurants, seasonal and weekly events industrial and domestic use, critical water
to attract visitations, rest rooms, off loading supply systems nationally including the
areas, tourism information centres, local following will be improved
hostess programme et al (c) Reducing vulnerability to natural disasters
- Development of the physical framework to and climate change in all areas
support the day economy: shopping
facilities; tourism information service; rest VII. Community engagement, buy-in and
rooms, souvenir shops; internet café, banks marketing. The focus will be on building
and related, hairdressers, café, postal community consensus through structured
service, ATMs, car rentals, police sub consultations involving all sectors (social,
stations et al economic and environmental) and all
stakeholder groups and marketing the plan
III. The creation of sustainable and inclusive to the Saint Lucia Diaspora to foster a sense
initiatives for urban regeneration, of inclusiveness and harness the financial
including: resources of retirees and the skills of those
individuals who may be interested in
UWP THINKING GREEN - Reinstating the role of all town and village returning to the island to pursue
centres to support basic commercial, employment or investment opportunities


United Workers Party Manifesto 2011

United Workers Party Manifesto 2011

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