Pressure from the private sector and the unions forced the government to resign in 1982. New elections were then called and were won resoundingly by Compton's UWP, which took 14 of 17 seats. Seeking to increase his slim margin, Prime Minister Compton suspended parliament and called new elections on April 30. In this election, the government increased its majority in parliament to 11 seats. Dr. Lewis became prime minister and minister of finance, planning and development on April 2, 1996.
Agriculture now is dominated by banana cultivation.
There are a large number of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises. This sector has been largely responsible for the extensive socioeconomic changes that have taken place in St. Lucia since the 1960's. Eighty percent of merchandise trade earnings come from banana exports to the United Kingdom. This sector is highly vulnerable to weather conditions and to external events affecting commodity prices. In view of the European Union's announced phase-out of preferred access to its markets by windward island bananas, agricultural diversification is a priority.