LEADER of the Opposition Dr. Gale Rigobert yesterday participated in the meeting of the leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition of OECS member states convened by the OECS Commission; the second of its kind held within the last two years.
Dr.Rigobert attending for the first time as Leader of the Opposition welcomed the meeting as ‘a step in the right direction,\; in recognizing the critical role of the opposition in the governance of our regional democracies.
She commented: “I applaud the OECS Commission for its efforts at inclusive governance and for attempting to correct the historically disturbing trend of excluding opposition parties from governance – both at the national and regional levels.”
According to Dr.Rigobert meetings such as this afford opposition parties the opportunity to critique and to inform regional policies and to bridge the information gaps that sometimes exist between opposition parties and regional bodies (and the work that they do).
Further, Dr.Rigobert asserted that “today’s meeting suggests that our democracies are maturing as our regional bodies show greater appreciation for the relevance of the opposition and the need to engage opposition parties in comprehensive, open, free and fair dialogue.”
She called on the OECS Commission and Leaders of the Opposition of the OECS region to make a concerted effort to meet more frequently as there is an urgent need to keep Leaders of the Opposition (and the parties they represent) in the know, on the work being undertaken by the OECS Commission.
Said Dr.Rigobert: “Our shared interests and shared vulnerabilities underscore the need for more frequent engagement so as to better inform the policy agenda and output of the OECS Commission.” She was optimistic that meetings such as this would go a long way in “flattening the learning curve and allowing for more seamless transition when opposition parties on winning elections find themselves at the reins of government.”
Dr.Rigobert implored the OECS Commission to maintain more open channels of communication to correct the information deficit and to maintain high levels of interest and buy in from opposition parties.
Dr. Gale, I must compliment you on your originality and respect you very much for one who did very well at school to have achieved great heights academically and politically, I am proud of you, because as a woman you have shown many, especially the women among us to be brave and not to allow our men to think that it’s a man’s world for men alone to rule. We do not live in the past, though sadly, many very rich and famous Countries still do not allow women to drive vehicles and to go shopping alone. Be brave, make noise, encourage other women because I’m sure that there are lots more talented females out there just waiting for their day to come. History has shown us, that there’s always a precursor to arrive with the message, the Word, as it may, but nontheless the message gets through. The many male
leaders in political power have made a mess of things; look at Europe, have a look at the Republican Party in the U.S., what I’m saying is, we need strong and brave persons for leadership, to curb the greed for power, the arrogance displayed, to prevent the appearance
of corruption and to bring back the rule of law. The women of St. Lucia must wake up, be brave and start to grow some backbone. Good luck, but better, be blessed.
COCOSEK!!!!!!!!!! I love your advice to Gale: make noise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! caunt u c is that alone she is doing or better yet she have plenty of that? lo.