On the evening of December 1st, 2025, almost every politician, bar Mia Mottley,wished they were Philip J. Pierre. He had, for the second election period in a row, reduced his opposition to rubble and swung many die-hard opposition candidates and voters to his side.
But now, less than two months later, it appears that the once swagger-filled boss is in a world of trouble. Despite stamping his authority as “the boss,” it seems he is captaining a leaky ship.
First came the worrying news of potentially having third-country deportees sent to the country. Although many attempted to use the caveat that the agreement was non-binding, the question still remains: why sign if the agreement is non-binding? Moreover, are we to assume that the current administration will not, in practice, be limited by agreements,binding or not? Perhaps the enticement of settlement monies was enough for the usually proud Peeeeeeep to bow to the great United States.
We also have to look at the potentially crisis-inducing introduction of Uber Saint Lucia. First, there was the alleged overstepping and premature introduction, but there are deeper issues at hand. I hold no brief for taxi drivers,many of whom are capitalistic to the point of greed,but Uber will surely affect their bottom line. Furthermore, Uber’s designation of drivers as independent contractors rather than employees means no healthcare, no minimum wage, no cost-of-living adjustments, and no paid time off.
The real killer, though, may be the introduction of surge pricing during periods such as Saint Lucia Jazz or Carnival, where rates will most likely double or triple during peak moments—near the end of events like Mess, the opening of Jazz, Blocko, Bacchanal Brunch, Red Brunch, SUNNUP, or Escape—especially when people are trying to move between events.
But now an even greater threat has emerged, one that cuts directly against the image of Philip as the Caribbean man he perpetuates himself to be. With the removal of healthcare assistance from Cuba reportedly being a requirement for continued visa access for locals, questions arise as to whether PJP has become a coconut tree, swaying in whichever direction the wind blows. His veracity is now being called into question, particularly after the U.S. Embassy publicly challenged his statements.
Flambeau operatives have been quick to seize on this, painting him with the same brush Allen once wore—many rightly noting that if this were Chastanet, the cries of “liar” would be deafening. THAT, of course, is another show all by itself.
Permit me, however, to put my pinky in the fire for Peeep. Perhaps it was like a husband telling his wife, “If you wear that dress, it’ll cause problems.” He might mean problems for him—because he’ll be like a dog chasing a bone—while she assumes he means he disapproves of the dress. That may well be the case with him and them.
So the question remains: who would you rather be—Peeep or Chastanet?