Gonsalves to Attend Pierre’s Swearing‑In

By Val Matthias. Updated 3:42 p.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has confirmed that he will travel to Castries, Saint Lucia, to attend the swearing‑in ceremony of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre on Friday, December 5. The announcement came via a social media post in which Gonsalves congratulated Pierre and the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) on their resounding victory in the recently concluded general elections. 

“This morning, I spoke with my brother and comrade, Hon. Philip J. Pierre. Congratulations on this fantastic victory to the SLP and people of St Lucia in conversation, Philip extended an invitation, which I’ve accepted, to be at his swearing‑in ceremony. Labour stays together,” Gonsalves wrote. 

The post comes just days after Gonsalves himself experienced a political transition at home. Following the November 27 general elections in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, his Unity Labour Party (ULP) was reduced to a single seat in Parliament, ending his long tenure as Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, in Saint Lucia, Pierre’s SLP secured a decisive mandate, reinstating him as Prime Minister. His win consolidates the party’s hold on power and underscores the electorate’s confidence in his leadership. The swearing‑in ceremony on December 5 will mark the formal start of his new term. 

The connection between Gonsalves and Pierre reflects the longstanding ties between the Unity Labour Party (ULP) in Saint Vincent and the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP). Both parties share ideological roots in Caribbean labour movements, emphasizing social justice, equity, and regional solidarity. Their leaders have often expressed mutual support, framing victories and setbacks within a broader narrative of labour unity across the Eastern Caribbean. 

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