Manmay LaKay Magazine Issue 2 April 2018 | Page 10

In 1953, Sir John joined the
St. Lucia Labour Party
(SLP). In 1954 he left the
party but rejoined in 1957. In 1961, he formed his own
political party and called it the
National Labour Movement.
But, in 1964, he joined forces with
the People's Progressive Party
(PPP) and formed the United
Workers Party (UWP). That same
year, the U.W.P. defeated the
S.L.P. in the elections. On Mar. 1' 1967, under Sir John's
leadership and quest to lead St. Lucia
to Independence, St. Lucia became an
Associated State and Sir John became
St. Lucia's first and only premier.