UWP is responsible for Saint Lucia's current economic problems according to the document. It claims that after winning the election, the new PM warned of hard times ahead, causing consumers and businesses to cut spending. With less consumption and VAT revenues falling, the government's revenues decreased while expenditures increased, creating a fiscal crisis. It also criticizes spending on social programs as having little economic impact. The document argues that 2012 economic decline made the situation worse in 2013 as households cut spending even more out of continued fear.