Former Party Leader Objects To Statement By Mary Isaac.
FORMER Prime Minister and Political Leader of the United Workers Party, Stephenson King walked out of Sunday’s Convention of his party over a statement made by Mary Isaac, just two hours after he had walked in to loud cheering and a smattering of boos.
But Isaac says she’s sticking to her statement because it reflects the truth about Caribbean politicians. Further to that, she was making a general statement, one not directed at anyone, she said.
“I left the meeting because of Miss Mary Isaac’s statement. It is offensive, it is divisive and it is cantankerous, and those statements can only lend to further division within the United Workers Party,” King said surrounded by supporters,’ minutes after the walkout.
The drama unfolded when Isaac, selected to give the vote of thanks at the party’s 39th Convention at the Gros Islet Secondary School, said, “Where else do you have an ex-Prime Minister sitting in parliament as an ordinary parliamentarian….”
“This is not right, the person can be a statesman…” Isaac said to reporters later that afternoon.
But King was not amused, and although Isaac did not name him as the target of her statement he felt that she had referred to him..
“For Mary Isaac to make the statement that she made, for me, as far as I’m concerned, I cannot sit back and allow Mary Isaac to ride roughshod over me. When I led the government of the United Workers Party she marched against the government of the United Workers Party. I will not allow her today, because she did not have her way with the Labour Party, to come and ride roughshod over me,” King said.
Isaac in her defence said that she was just expanding on what Sir James Mitchell had said during his address at the Convention.
Sir James, former Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines took Caribbean politicians to task for their refusal to leave the political scene after losing a general election or were voted out of office.
“If the people say they do not want you, go home,” Sir James said to thunderous roars from delegates both inside and outside the Convention hall.
“It was Sir James who first spoke about packing up and leave I was just expanding on that,” Isaac said in defence of the statement she made that riled King.
“Where in the Caribbean do you know of an ex- Prime Minister who now sits in government as an ordinary parliamentarian. It is wrong and we need to know when to bow out gracefully? I am saying that Caribbean people, look at the Prime Minister we have now, he ought not to be there, his time has passed. This is why young people cannot rise up. We stay there and choke the system,” Isaac said.
King entered the hall at about 2:00 p.m. Sunday and walked up the aisle to take a seat at the head of the delegates representing Castries North and was acknowledged by both Chastanet and Mitchell.
Mary has nothing to apologize for, her statement is correct. King is too thin
skinned. After all these years he is showing his immaturity. Get used to it, Mary
has seen the light. Steve, if you and Spider keep playing games, then keep playing
Ms Isaac is a force to recon with, now Sarah has come in to reinforce the troop, let
those who want to hold back take note. This movement from what I can see is, no
going back and has attracted some very powerful women, and don’t mess with a
determined female politician, you can get very embarrassed in a hurry. They have a
tongue in their mouth men cannot compete with, that’s why King was embarrassed.
Whilst I agree Mr King reaction shows a very thin skin to a remark that may have been well meaning. It must be noted that Mr King is an elected parliamentarian who increase his majority at the last election. The lost of election doesn’t mean a lost of your sit. Mr King has behave honourable and accepted the delegates decision to replace him as leader of the party.
Allen and crew must be careful they do not make the grave mistake of thinking they can win an election without the Castries Central and Castries North East constituencies.