1925 Saint Lucian general election

General elections were held in Saint Lucia on 9 March 1925.[1] Only two of the three elected seats were contested, with two members elected unopposed.[1]

Background

The Wood Commission chaired by Lord Halifax had visited British islands in the Caribbean in 1922 with the mandate to "ascertain if the people were ready for some form of political development".[1] A Saint Lucian delegation presented their case to the Commission, whilst the Representative Government Association was also established to campaign for political reform. The Association held a public meeting in Columbus Square where Louis McVane read out its manifesto, which he subsequently presented to Lord Halifax.[1]

In 1924 Letters patent were issued making provisions for the establishment of a partially elected Legislative Council.[1]

Electoral system

The Legislative Council was to consist of a total of twelve members, three of whom would be elected, three appointed, and the remainder included the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General, the Treasurer, the Registrar of the Royal Court, the Chief Medical Officer and the Inspector of Schools.[1]

The three members were elected in separate constituencies; North, East and West.[1]

Aftermath

Thomas Westall (in the North constituency), George Palmer (in the East constituency) and Thomas Hull (in the West constituency) were elected to the Council, whilst George Barnard, William Degazon, and Gabriel LaFitte were all appointed. The new Council met for the first time on 1 May 1925.[1]

References

1. Electoral History Archived 2016-06-05 at the Wayback Machine Saint Lucia Electoral Department