By James Stanislaus
The story of Kenny Anthony’s political journey in Vieux-Fort South is one of deep paradox- a once-bright leader who used the unwavering loyalty of his constituency to build a towering political career, yet ultimately left that same community yearning for the development and progress it was promised but never truly received.
For nearly 30 years, Kenny Anthony understood the unique bond he shared with Vieux-Fort South. He knew the people’s loyalty to the Saint Lucia Labour Party was steadfast, and that they trusted him implicitly to be the glimmer of hope and change they desperately needed. This trust was not given lightly; it was a sacred pact between leader and people, forged on shared dreams of revitalization, opportunity, and a better future. Yet, instead of harnessing the immense potential of Vieux-Fort-a constituency blessed with strategic location, rich culture, and resilient people-Anthony’s tenure became a story of missed chances and stagnation.
Today, it is painfully clear that Kenny Anthony’s star has dimmed. No longer a member of Cabinet in his own party’s administration, sidelined by Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre who has chosen his arch nemesis Richard Frederick-once described by Kenny himself as “the most frightening thing to have happened in St. Lucia’s politics” and the worst Minister of Housing-and Stephenson King, whom the SLP once ridiculed as not having the qualifications nor the wherewithal to be Prime Minister, Anthony’s influence has waned dramatically. Even within his own backyard of Vieux-Fort South, Richard Frederick’s voice carries more weight than his. The man who once dominated the political landscape now finds himself unable to even select his successor.
This is the bitter truth the people of Vieux-Fort South must confront. For decades, their blind loyalty to the SLP, and to Kenny Anthony personally, was leveraged to secure power at the national level. Yet, what has been given in return? A town center turned ghost town, shuttered businesses, a crumbling airport, a hospital project stalled for nearly 16 years, soaring unemployment, and a designation as a violent crime zone. The development Vieux-Fort deserved was sacrificed on the altar of political longevity.
As the Philip J. Pierre administration nears its end and elections loom, the people of Vieux-Fort South face a critical choice. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the very definition of insanity. How much longer must they endure suffering, missed opportunities, neglect, and underrepresentation before they demand change? The alternative is clear. Under the United Workers Party administration led by Allen Chastanet, Vieux-Fort saw the beginnings of a bold vision to catapult the constituency into the 21st century-a vision that was stalled by the SLP election victory almost 4 years ago but not forgotten.
The difference between the two parties’ approaches is stark. The UWP pursued a strategic and forward-looking plan that prioritized infrastructure development, investment attraction, and sustainable economic growth, including support for agriculture and job creation aligned with market needs. In contrast, the SLP’s tenure has been marked by political tribalism and victimization, a lack of long-term planning, delays in key projects, reliance on short-term social benefits, and leadership perceived as disconnected from the constituency’s real needs. This contrast underscores why many in Vieux-Fort South are yearning for leadership that goes beyond political loyalty to deliver tangible progress.
From my standpoint, it is sad to witness Dr. Kenny Anthony’s political twilight – the bright star that lost its brilliance. Yet, even as one star fades, new hopes are rising. This moment also represents Vieux-Fort’s best chance to reclaim what it has lost. Just as Job, after enduring great loss, was blessed with twice as much as he had before, Vieux-Fort now stands at a turning point-with the opportunity to reclaim and even double what was lost during decades of neglect with Dr. Kenny Anthony and the St. Lucia Labour Party. The future holds the promise not just of restoration, but of abundance, if Vieux-Fortians are bold enough to choose a new path forward. Electing Lady Lee and the UWP for Vieux-Fort South is not just a political decision; it is a declaration that the people will no longer settle for broken promises and political convenience. They demand leadership that sees beyond the ballot box, that understands the immense potential of Vieux-Fort, and that is committed to turning promise into reality.
The time has come for Vieux-Fort South to break free from the cycle of disappointment and embrace a future of real progress and opportunity. Vieux-Fort’s – this is your time.