Infrastructure Minister Stephenson King, once a prominent member of the United Workers Party (UWP), addressed accusations of betrayal at the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP)’s Walk of Progress on August 25. King, now aligned with the SLP, criticized the UWP for straying from its core values, saying “The Party doesn’t represent what I believe in anymore.”
King’s departure from the UWP, particularly before the July 2021 election where he ran as an independent, has drawn sharp criticism. However, he defended his choice as a matter of integrity, contrasting his actions with those of other politicians.
Firmly embedded in the SLP-led government, King expressed satisfaction with the progress under Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre. Despite ongoing criticism from the UWP regarding the state of infrastructure, King plans to continue running as an independent candidate, prioritizing principles over party loyalty.
The UWP has labelled King as “Lazy King” due to the condition of Saint Lucia’s infrastructure, particularly the deteriorating roads. In April, the party accused him of failing to deliver on promises of improvement, citing widespread potholes and crumbling asphalt.
King remains unfazed by these attacks, reinforcing his constituents with integrity. He believes that political service should be guided by a dedication to the people, not allegiance to a party that, in his view, has lost its way.
Source/Photo credit: Loop Saint Lucia
