Saint Lucia and its citizens have become a unique country and people.
Those who approved the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) gave it full support and those who supported the United Workers Party also put all their hearts into it.
But what I found interesting was the various comments, especially on social media, in defence or support of the parties.
The SLP ensured they displayed their track record, not only in what they had done thus far, but also their intentions for the coming future. The opposition party spoke mostly of their futuristic plans, knowing full well that their last reign seems checkered with questionable actions.
In this election, I really saw the Good, Bad and Ugly parts of our politics.
Some candidates, especially those sitting as MPs, were tarnished, ridiculed, made fun of, named in a negative light, lied about and castigated. The saddest part was that many who benefitted from the government’s policy — especially when it came to personal gains — were some of the people who had only negative things to say about the government.
I would have thought that if you disliked the government or their policies, you would also reject any benefits or support that came to you or your family, but instead, you take everything you could put your hands on, take advantage of every opportunity — and yet, despite all that you accepted or gained from the hated party’s policy, you still had nothing-good to say about the government. In fact, the usual comments were frequently that you “cannot see any progress or development that the government had done in their four years plus at the helm.”
Now, despite all the ‘maypwee’ and the bad sentiments and negative attitudes, the fact stands that the majority of citizens felt and thought differently and have made their feelings known. So, the big question to all who have become the losers is: Will they rally behind the government for its second term, or will they hold a permanent grudge until their wishes come true?
Can we, as a people, understand or accept that it is better to support what is good and has positive intent, rather than remaining negative and non-supportive? Will you remain negative, keep sulking and deny all progress to just remain sad and discontented?
For the new and young people who threw their hats in the ring, I applaud you and wish you all the best. To the SLP, I say well-done and continue the good work. And to the opposite side, I suggest that you lick your wounds, wheel-and-come-back-again — and do the necessary changes to re-establish your party, because nothing remains the same.
And I further suggest UWP supporters consider new leadership for your party and a new way of thinking, expelling the Belrose Doctrine and install another policy for progress.
Three-times-lucky may or may not happen for the next election, but you must be more prepared, refreshed and stand on more solid ground.
The rebuilding has to start now. You have to weed out the bad, find more lucrative potential candidates, find a team that can and plan together, avoid selecting dictators to lead you and give voters a reason to change their minds in the next cycle.
There are many reasons why the UWP lost, but its members have to deal with the stark reality and dismiss the false prophets and ‘wannabees’. Instead, take a special interest in the young, the middle-aged and your seniors, as everybody deserves equal opportunity when it comes to survival.
So, these guidelines I leave with UWP supporters; and I say to the government: Live up to the people’s expectations.