Lenard Montoute

Lenard Spider Montoute is a Saint Lucian politician who represents the constituency of Gros Islet for the United Workers Party (UWP). He is currently 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 is also deputy leader of the United Workers Party and is 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. [Anselma Aimable, [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000048/004841.htm "St Lucia swears in new government ministers"] , Caribbean Net News, December 20, 2006.] 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. [Anselma Aimable, [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3526--20-20--.html "St Lucia swears in new cabinet ministers"] , Caribbean Net News, September 13, 2007.]

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