By Samuel Bowers
The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) is preparing for its big #Protect the Victory rally in Micoud South, on July 30, 2023, as it unrolls what is clearly ‘a decapitation strategy aimed at the United Workers Party (UWP).’ But have events and developments in the past few days ‘decapitated’ the political succession of SLP’s leaders in waiting?
Found wanting?
Last week, a big flare-up occurred over the control of carnival in the valley communities in Dennery North and South, with rumbles that will stress the leadership qualities of Shawn Edward the second deputy leader of the SLP.
Then, on June 13, 2023, came the news that Dr Ernest Hilaire’s appeal to the Privy Council over his tussle of defamation with Allen Chastanet, leader of the opposition (LOO) – ALLEN-jcpc-2021-0007-judgment – had been dismissed.
Conclusion 71.
“In the light of the reasons set out above, the Board will humbly advise His Majesty that the appeal should be dismissed,” Trinity Term [2023] UKPC 22 Privy Council Appeal No 0007 of 2021.
“[Today], I issued a statement in relation to the Privy Council Ruling. I did not lose, Saint Lucia lost. Now, finally, the case will be heard!” – Dr Ernest Hilaire.
Thus, providing a boost to the LOO, and exposing the risk of legislators not spending more time on updating and amending the country’s laws, instead of being preoccupied with petty political quarrels.
Alva Baptiste ‘Petty Cash’
Then you have the minister of foreign affairs, Alva Baptiste sounding as if XCD$13,361.71 for another meeting in Washington DC is standard petty cash, when simple mathematics will show that multiplying that by 12, (XCD$160,340.52) would produce an exponential figure (XCD$ 801,702.60) over a 5-year term.
Saint Lucia is dealing with a crisis of leadership, with politicians fighting to protect themselves #Protect the Victory, by constantly engaging in petty political quarrels, at a time when the people of Saint Lucia needs transformational and inspirational leadership.
Is the SLP a Paper Tiger?
The SLP has a 15-2 majority in parliament but it has shown little ability to influence the citizens of Saint Lucia.
Since coming into government violent crime has continued to rise and the quality of public service management has gotten worse.
There have been no improvements in project management and all the old concerns about the “Queen’s Chain” and environmental degradation are still with us.
The economic growth of 18 percent only brought us back to where the inequality in the economy left most Saint Lucians on low wages; and where imported inflation on essential commodities is mainly increasing the poverty of Saint Lucians. Added to that is the introduction of a 2.5 levy.
Daily Saint Lucians are told that the economy has recovered. Thanks to the efforts of the prime minister, when we know it is a drunken economy, still stumbling before collapsing at the next crisis.
There remains a general sense that there is nothing that any government can do to increase productivity. So, clever marketing is deployed to generate the feel-good factor of pom-pom girls.
The shamelessness of exaggerating economic growth is such a reminder of the old Soviet Union with supporters being encouraged to clap on cue.
The ridiculousness of the SLP party line – #Putting you First – #Protect the Victory – applauds is that it just hides public opinion until the next general elections.
Ignoring genuine feedback is never a good strategy. It only leads to a belief in one’s myth-making. #Better Days!
