THE recent confessions made by the Castries Central MP sends mixed signals and if interpreted correctly requires different responses. Firstly, the MP is fully aware of his past and remains desperate in expecting some kind of sympathy or recognition from the public, not considering that any misdeeds created in one’s lifetime remains a question of great concern, especially as the individual remains persistent in his ways and continues on a path of intolerance to the nation.
Persons holding high office must maintain a level of decorum and etiquette at all times as political astuteness alone is insufficient to present a well-rounded candidate. Rising from the ranks is one thing but being able to learn and practice what we have learnt is paramount.
The second feeling from the public is one of paranoia based on the number of allegations leveled against him both in his position at the United Workers Party administration for which he was crucified by the SLP administration.
It appears that his behaviour and weaknesses for which he became well known have not changed since shifting political gears and even being seated next to the PM in an effort to temper any outlandish behaviour.
There is ample evidence in the way he conducted himself within the UWP 2006/2011 administration by being able to get his own way under the then sitting PM, to the extent that the leader was threatened by a number of Ministers at the time that if he failed to act appropriately towards the then MP for Castries Central, re the US visa withdrawal affair, he stood the chance of his MPs requesting the GG to have him removed. Despite the downside of this situation, their relationship remained intact, to the extent, that throughout the tenure of the UWP administration 2016/2021 their coziness grew closer, resulting in the individuals once more joining forces to undermine a party which nurtured one partner for over thirty-five years.
We must once more revert to the ongoing situation in Russia where Mr Putin ruled with an iron fist and additionally followed the path of unlawfulness to undemocratically retain the presidential slot. His devious maneuvers including the creation of a private army financed by the state to keep the nation’s bonafide army in check. Today, the individual chosen to discharge those duties is no longer prepared to play second fiddle and has plunged the country into a very precarious situation.
Here in St Lucia, the signs of over zealousness within the administration are conspicuous and unless these signs are not addressed, there is a price to be paid for our delinquency. Today, at home we have witnessed the silence of several institutions for whatever reason or reasons and we can be rest assured that this behaviour could well lead to our downfall. People’s patience has a limited shelf life and the electorate have been particularly unkind when responding to such measures.
The current administration has embarked upon a most unusual spending spree by way of social entertainment which has a place within our society but not at the expense of our other monetary earnings.
Three areas which come to light are the noticeable reduction of flights to St Lucia, the recent disruption at the Hewanorra Airport by way of a failed lighting system on the runway bringing about untold costs to British Airways and the other airlines which are now demanding compensation for their delays. Cannibalization of moving lights from one airstrip to another versus a maintenance programme does not augur well based on the fact that on more than one occasion the runway was under three feet of water. If we are not mistaken, the onus falls under the stewardship of the Minister of Infrastructure and this is where the importance of knowledgeable persons heading our Ministries come into focus.