King says Hurricane Tomas has affected his electoral agenda

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC - Prime Minister Stephenson King has said that the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Tomas last October has significantly affected his electoral agenda as preparations continue for general elections here.

Constitutionally, elections must be held no later than March 2012 but it is widely expected that St. Lucians will go to the polls before year end.

Prime Minister King had up to last year cautioned the opposition to get battle ready as “every year could be an election year”.

However, the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Tomas appears to have slowed down the commencement of a number of projects including the redevelopment of the Hewanorra International Airport which was targeted for January this year.

“One of the many effects of the passage of and destruction caused by Tomas, it has now extended the agenda of government that will give us the latitude to programme ourselves to be able to achieve a number of plans that we have put in place in the context of reconstruction and development,” King said.

“So now what we see ahead of us is an opportunity to determine the readiness of the country to move into elections and the government to determine the actual date for that call.”

Prime Minister King has said in the presentation of his April 2010 budget that a number of projects were expected to be launched towards year end and into the New Year so as to generate additional employment, as the term of the government comes to an end.

The ruling United Workers Party holds an 11-6 majority in the House of Assembly after winning the general elections of 2006.