By Alexis B. Montgomery
THE youth is revolutionizing politics in Saint Lucia, and they should as the largest segment of the electorate now. As such it is indeed fitting to reiterate the position of The VOICE Editorial of Thursday, in saluting the Castries South Youth and Sports Council umbrella organization and their Castries South East membership, for initiating the first two town hall meetings with political candidates for the upcoming general elections.
At this trailblazing session, which took place on Thursday evening, UWP Representative Mary Isaac was unable to attend, but Dr. Ernest Hilaire showed up. The other town hall meeting slated for Wednesday, March 16, will see sitting MP Guy Joseph and Joachim Henry, the potential SLP representative for the constituency given the opportunity to outline their plans and vision for the constituency.
This type of interaction with politicians should be organized by other youth groups in order to amplify the views of the youth. Political debates are exactly what the new wave, youthful political minds are clamouring for now. Over and over, we have asserted in various articles for the benefit of politicians that there is a new political consciousness mushrooming in this society which will no longer be wooed with chicken and rum or satiated with the outdated rhetoric of how many roads and bridges were built, and a slew of maispwe cast at opponents.
This nouveau political consciousness stems from the waning era when politicians were voted for on the flimsy basis of blind loyalty or family ties. This traditional practice is giving way by leaps and bounds to a more performance-based assessment of the incumbent, more scrutiny of prospective candidates and more indepth analysis of promises made.
A comprehensive level of engagement amongst political candidates and their constituents is always invaluable as it allows the electorate to better understand the true substance of the person who wishes to represent them at the highest level in government. Moreover, activities of this nature must not be one where the people go to the politician; he/she must come to them in their own setting. They have to be confident enough to face the people and hear of their concerns in their own voices.
Understandably, politicians rely heavily on their well-oiled political machineries to create their personas. As such, they may not be in their comfort zone at town hall meetings or at national debate fora. After all, they may just suffer an early political demise, should they fall short of the expectations of constituents and worse, if they appear not to have answers to the pressing issues of the day, well the romance may not endure to the polling day.
Nevertheless, debates as well as question and answer meetings will by the sheer determination of the people become a new yardstick and the new norm in the campaign journey. Saint Lucians are evolving and have come to better appreciate the utility in more intelligent politicking. No longer will inept politicians ride on the coat-tails of their political party and constituency connections in order to win elections. They will have to stand on their own merit and convince the people that they are worthy of their trust. No more smoking mirrors.
Honestly politicians have had an easy ride over the past several national elections but this time election will be a different kettle of fish as will be the others to follow. Let us refer to the recent Jamaica elections where Portia Simpson Miller, in her wisdom nixed the option to participate in debates. One Jamaican commentator puts it this way: “Arguably the most damning error on the part of the PNP was the refusal of Mrs. Simpson-Miller to participate in the national debates. The Simpson-Miller camp advised the Jamaica Debates Commission that they would not participate in the national debates unless certain demands were met:
1. An apology to Mrs. Simpson-Miller from the leader of the opposition for statements made against her.
2. Public apologies for other statements made by Holness and other members of the JLP on the campaign trail
3. A town hall format for the debates, similar to the democratic presidential debates.
4. Answers to questions posed by Dr. Phillips about Holness’ home.
It is important to show up at these meetings. The absence of a representative can be easily misconstrued and result in irreparable damage if used as mileage by one’s opponent and their supporters. It can be a cause for a mortal wound as may be the case with Ms. Isaac. We hope this situation is avoided by other candidates at all cost. Former Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson did that and she paid dearly.
Again we are reiterating the message: politics in Saint Lucia has changed and is rapidly changing. The “old story” will not work. Saint Lucians want credible, tested fully committed advocates to represent them, they want to vote for their prime minister, they want the powers of recall and other recommendations as contained in The Constitutional Review Commission Report recommendations.