Much of what happens here in St. Lucia is aligned with one party or the other, a phenomenon that has survived the ages, or rather the decades, at least since independence.
While the country has endured and, in some cases, flourished, it must be understood that the migraine headache that Helen suffers from is rooted in unwavering partisan politics that insist on party first, as opposed to country first.
It is understood, at least by some, that both can be achieved. One can be loyal to de party and simultaneously put country first. What cannot be done, try as you may, is to put both first. At some point the party loyal must come to the conclusion that the country’s interest far outweighs that of the individual party or the person flying party colours.
The science of politics insist that the governing party must and should always fill some of the most critical roles with trusted party soldiers, which probably birthed the term “jobs for the boys.” Most would probably agree that it would constitute political suicide not to comply with the science, however, what creates the political and sometimes national disaster, is the “square pegs in round holes” scenarios particularly when it is blatantly obvious.
These “square pegs in wrong holes” scenarios can probably be seen all over the world, some playing out on live television on the world stage. Take the Donald Trump administration for example. Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defence, subsequently named the Secretary of War, is a former TV personality with little to no qualifications to hold that position, let alone properly execute the task before him. The US cabinet, according to many, is laden with similar situations, probably the result being the disaster in the Middle East at the moment.
Small developing countries like ours can ill-afford mistakes like these, as we lack the leeway that usually translates into the squandering of critical financial resources that we just don’t have at our disposal. Why then has it been seen as a staple in our political diet? It is actually over-enthusiasm when implementing the “job for the boys” concept, and any other description would have to include words like corrupt, inept, short-sighted, selfish and nepotism.
Over the years we have had quite a few examples in our local environment, some at the highest levels of government. While it may be ill advised to mention names, the scenarios have been well played out on the local stage.
It has long been accepted, by the masses, that those who speak the loudest on the political platforms become our managers in government. That is unfortunate, as some who are considered the most intelligent among us are not the loudest on the playground.
A political party’s job is to survive, stay relevant and present itself as a viable option for governance in the state. The party in government has the responsibility to ensure that the resources of the state are managed with prudence while ensuring it retains the reigns of power. It is then the individual citizen, as we all know, who hold real power. It is the individual in the respective parties who must understand that the party first concept cannot supersede the country first mandate.
We would all do well to remember that our development is not the right or responsibility of one party, it is the responsibility of all.