IT was incredible to hear the Prime Minister describe the United Workers Party team as “desperate unemployables”. What a statement for him to make when that description is more applicable to him and his team than to anyone else. As Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Castries East, he has milked the taxpayers of this country for twenty-five plus years by way of a salary as a parliamentarian, as a Minister of Government, and now, as Prime Minister. Has the Prime Minister ever considered that there were umpteen other ways that he could serve his community and country versus remaining the Member of Parliament for Castries East especially because under his prolonged watch in that capacity, his constituency is one of the most ‘challenged’ constituencies in the country? The burning question is, are the taxpayers of his constituency, Castries East, and others such as Vieux-Fort North, Vieux-Fort South and Laborie and by extension, the people of St. Lucia, getting value for their tax dollars from four and six-term politicians? FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
The UWP march and public meeting held on November 30, 2023, was an eye-opener for St Lucia. It should also be a forewarning of things to come for the St. Lucia Labour Party. St Lucians are steadily becoming frustrated with the unsatisfactory state of affairs in their country and are finally mustering the courage to publicly express their displeasure and disgruntlement with the government. Sadly, the current administration remains in denial and continues to blame all that ails this country on its predecessors. In the last General Elections, St Lucia voted 15 to 2 in favour of the St. Lucia Labour Party. We can safely say that the mandate was placed in the hands of the SLP because they proclaimed they had all the answers including the bold boast of the Prime Minister that he was best equipped and best prepared for the job.
The UWP simply has to leave the SLP alone to its own devices and allow them to commit hara-kiri by falling upon their sword. No one compelled the Prime Minister to assimilate into his Cabinet of Ministers the two beleaguered so-called Independents in the House of Parliament but the Lord works in mysterious ways and so the dye has been cast. Let the travesty of the fateful alliance parade in the public view. In conclusion, from the words of the illustrious British poet, William Ernest Henley, “Men may scoff, and men may pray, but they pay every pleasure with a pain.” Tanto Tanto!