By Michael Chastanet
As a father, it is never easy to watch your child endure hardship. For me, it has been especially painful to witness my son, Allen Chastanet, subjected to relentless and often unfair personal attacks, many of which stem from the St. Lucia Labour Party and its supporters. Yet through it all, Allen has remained steady, handling criticism with a resilience and calmness that continues to amaze me. Amid the noise, I feel compelled to share some truths about the man I have known all his life and of whom I am deeply proud.
Allen was born in Martinique in 1960 under difficult circumstances. Because his mother Judy was Rhesus negative, she had to travel there for his birth so that he could receive the blood transfusions unavailable in St. Lucia at that time. Raised in St. Lucia, Allen attended the Anglican School, Castries Comprehensive School, and St. Mary’s College before furthering his studies abroad. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Bishop’s University in Quebec and later completed a Master’s in Development Banking at American University in Washington, D.C.
Allen’s professional journey has been dynamic. He served as Deputy Director of ECIPS, Marketing Director of Windjammer Landing, and Director of Tourism for St. Lucia, where he helped launch the world-renowned St. Lucia Jazz Festival. His career later took him to Island Outpost, a hotel group founded by Chris Blackwell, and then to Air Jamaica, where he worked for nearly a decade as Vice President of Marketing and Sales under Gordon “Butch” Stewart. Returning home, Allen invested in St. Lucia’s hospitality sector, creating Coco Kreole and later Coco Palm—one of the most successful locally owned hotels on the island.
Public service has always been close to Allen’s heart. In addition to his earlier role as Director of Tourism, he served as a Senator, later as Minister of Tourism (2006–2011), and in 2013 was elected Political Leader of the United Workers Party. Three years later, he became Prime Minister after securing the Micoud South seat, a victory that marked only the second time a UWP leader defeated the Labour Party in a general election.
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Beyond politics and business, Allen is above all a family man. He is a devoted husband to Raquel and a loving father to their children, Rhyan and Braden. Despite the pressures of public life, he makes time for family, rarely missing important milestones. His sense of loyalty and commitment—to his loved ones and to his country—has always been central to who he is.
Unfortunately, his journey has not been without challenges. He has faced racial and class-based attacks that attempt to discredit him because of his lighter skin tone and mixed heritage, branding him as an outsider or privileged elite. Such divisive rhetoric is not only harmful to him personally but also dangerous for St. Lucia’s unity and reputation. In a small nation like ours, where capable leaders are few, fueling racial divisions threatens both social cohesion and economic progress, particularly in tourism.
Allen, however, has consistently championed inclusivity and opportunity for all citizens. His dedication to St. Lucia has come at personal cost—sacrificing time with his young family and stepping away from his hotel business—yet he has never wavered in his vision for national development. Whether or not one agrees with his policies, no one can question his drive, passion, and work ethic.
His leadership was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced his government to borrow heavily just to keep the country afloat. Under his guidance, St. Lucia rebounded faster than many predicted, with tourism growth outpacing expectations. Still, the pandemic disrupted his administration’s momentum, contributing to the UWP’s loss in the 2021 elections, though Allen retained his parliamentary seat. Despite offering to resign as Party Leader, he was unanimously re-elected and continues to command strong support within the party.
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As a father, I was saddened by his electoral defeat but more so by the opportunities lost for our nation, including the suspension of projects like the St. Jude Hospital, Hewanorra International Airport redevelopment, housing initiatives, and the expansion of our ports. These setbacks have hindered our progress and undermined St. Lucia’s regional standing.
Today, as Leader of the Opposition, Allen continues to hold the government accountable while rebuilding the UWP into one of its strongest forms ever. Many observers consider the current slate of candidates to be the party’s most impressive to date, giving hope for a return to office in the next general election.
I urge all Saint Lucians to rise above division and work together for unity and progress. Let us respect those who make personal sacrifices to serve, and let us focus on fairness, accountability, and building a brighter future for everyone.
This is my heartfelt reflection, not only as Allen’s father but as a fellow citizen who believes in the type of visionary leadership required to move our beloved country forward.
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Michael Chastanet
Proud Father of the Leader of the Opposition
