Two weeks before St Lucia implements the value-added tax (VAT), a prominent chartered accountant is calling on citizens to demand that the Kenny Anthony government hold a referendum on the issue.

Geoffery Devaux has joined a chorus of criticism against the new tax, describing it as "one of the most insensitive, out-of-step decisions" he has seen for a long time.

"If VAT does come to St Lucia, and I hope it never does, then at a minimum the electorate should demand a referendum, the essence of which would be to tell government, yes you can have your 15 per cent tax, but this amount of 15 per cent will never change unless agreed to in a future referendum.

"After all, it will affect us all. So why can't we not vote on this?" he asked.

Devaux, who has headed a number of private and public sector financial institutions in St Lucia, has argued that the VAT would result in an increase in the cost of living and the poor would be the most affected.

- CMC