Chastanet ‘The Man’

IF there was still any doubt as to who delegates and supporters of the United Workers Party wanted to lead them at this time, that would have been finally erased by the results of last Sunday’s party convention at Gros Islet.

For reasons that have never really made any sense, Allen Chastanet found himself in the strange situation of having his legitimacy as party leader under question through most of the year since his massive victory over former political leader and Prime Minister Stephenson King who he defeated by a margin of more than two to one. A handful of dissidents within the party, aided by some ill-informed people in the electronic media, continued to give the impression that his victory last year was all a mistake that urgently needed correcting.

Over the past few months there has been a babel within the UWP that seemed to have replaced the quiet, order and discipline that once characterized the party.

Chastanet was accused of various things. One self-proclaimed media commentator foolishly claimed that he had “hijacked” the party. Others accused him of dividing the party, and so on. UWP delegates, who had voted him into office, held their peace and nary said a word. Last Sunday, they demonstrated that their decision in 2013 was no mistake, that they and were still standing solidly behind their leader, by giving Chastanet a similarly thumping mandate to lead.

If there are still “dissidents” within the UWP, they must now know that as far as the delegates are concerned, Allen Chastanet is “the man”. The ruling party too needs to come to grips with that fact, as, again for some strange reason, they have continued to target him for criticism and ridicule while at the same time trying to convince everyone that Chastanet is in fact an inconsequential pushover and that defeating him at the polls will be a Sunday afternoon picnic. People have in fact been saying that if Chastanet’s situation is that hopeless, if his ability is in question, if he is really a failure, why pay him all that attention? Should they not simply leave his fate in the hands of the voters?

But the UWP’s task is not yet done with Chastanet’s re-election. Given the current dismal state of the country, both economically and socially, it is important that a strong, clean and credible alternative (s) to the ruling party emerges if there is a mood for change as we head towards the general election in two years’ time.

So the stage is being set for an intriguing and exciting contest. The ruling St Lucia Labour Party is not expected to roll over and play dead, and the Lucian People’s Movement still has time to get itself in fighting shape. The real challenge now for the Flambeaus especially—given its 50 year old legacy– is to heal, mobilize, strengthen and prepare itself for battle.