Lenard Montoute
Born June 30, 1962, Lenard Spider Montoute is a Saint Lucian politician who represented the constituency of Gros Islet for the United Workers Party (UWP). He was the Minister for Social Transformation, Public Service, Human Resource Development and Youth and Sports.
Montoute won the seat from Gros Islet at the general election held on 11 December 2006. Montoute was also deputy leader of the United Workers Party and was considered a top contender for the leadership of the party although he is also considered a political novice. Montoute began his career as an active politician in 2001. He lost his bid to Mario Michel by less than 500 votes and claimed a moral victory which he then parlayed into the longest, most consistent campaign for a seat ever seen in St Lucia. His hard work paid off with a big victory against former Labour Party leader, President of the United Nations General Assembly and Foreign Minister Julian Robert Hunte.
Montoute was sworn in as Minister for Social Transformation, Human Services, Family Affairs, Youth and Sports on 19 December 2006 as part of the government of Prime Minister John Compton following the UWP electoral victory.[1] His portfolio partially changed in a cabinet reshuffle under Prime Minister Stephenson King on September 12, 2007, following Compton's death; Montoute became Minister for Social Transformation, Public Service, Human Resource Development and Youth and Sports.[2] There were many reports linking him to a bid to replace Stephenson King as leader of the government in 2008 but these ended when King fired Economic Affairs minister, Ausbert D'auvergne and reinstated Choiseul MP, Rufus Bousquet to the cabinet.
References
- ^ Anselma Aimable, "St Lucia swears in new government ministers", Caribbean Net News, December 20, 2006.
- ^ Anselma Aimable, "St Lucia swears in new cabinet ministers", Caribbean Net News, September 13, 2007.
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