Former housing minister Stanley Felix on Tuesday declared that his desire to represent the constituents of Castries Central remains as strong as ever. Per data from the Electoral Department, current MP Sarah Flood-Beaubrun defeated Felix by 373 votes in the 2016 general election and he also lost to Richard Frederick in 2011 by 134 votes.
On a “mission to empower people” the former minister is once again vying to become the Saint Lucia Labour Party’s (SLP) candidate for the constituency. “I’ve been very busy on the ground working, speaking with the people, finding out what their needs are. And that is something that didn’t just start, this is something that has been ongoing for the last couple of years,” Felix stated during an appearance on MBC’s Zafe Nous en Ste Lucie this morning.
“I have been with the people working with them and I could tell you in no uncertain terms that I do understand what the needs are, and my desire to represent them remains as strong as ever.” He asserted that his mission is to empower people and that he started to do so during his tenure as a minister. Felix was asked what he would do differently this time around since he was defeated in 2016. He responded: “I don’t necessarily like the term that I was defeated. I lost the election but I think the losers were the people of Castries Central in that they chose a person who has yet to show up for work. It’s been more than 4 years and there’s been little or no representation for the people of Castries Central.”
He went on to explain that sometimes when a candidate loses, it is not always their fault. The circumstances surrounding the election, like the “mood of the country, what the vybes are, how people think and what they’re feeling” must be considered.
“And clearly, without a doubt, you’ll agree with me that there was a huge national swing against the Labour Party in that we lost quite a few seats,” he noted. Felix highlighted that a big contributor to his election loss was the “prevailing circumstances at the time” and other issues that “contributed immensely.” He chose not to disclose what they were but is confident that things will be different this time around if given the chance.
“I think right now I am more empowered because I’ve been on the ground since we lost the last election, talking to the people in different areas, ascertaining what in fact went wrong —and I do know what went wrong— and so I’m ready to fight again,” the former minister declared.
“They have invited me to contest the elections again and I feel very strongly that this time, given the backdrop that they chose someone who has miserably disappointed them, and so they want to right the wrongs and I want to be the person to champion that fight and lead Castries Central to where it’s suppose to be in terms of leadership and representation.”
Richard Frederick and Stanley Felix clash
The former housing minister revealed that “on the SLP side” the other prospective candidates are Julian Charles, Peter Lansiquot and Antonius Calderon. Where does that leave Richard Frederick? In outlining the process for becoming a candidate for the SLP, Felix noted that the first step is to become a member of the party.
Frederick later called into the program and confirmed that he is not a member of the SLP but indicated, “Richard Frederick’s name will be on the ballot boxes and I will be a candidate in the next general elections. Stanley, I am sure you must be aware that I have had preliminary meetings with the leadership of the party, are you aware of that?” Frederick asked. Felix said that he was not aware.
Frederick went on to take Felix to task for failing to capitalize on the “power of incumbency” by losing to Flood-Beaubrun in 2016. Telling Felix that he voted for him in 2016, he added: “Right now Stanley, I believe all of us need to recognize our deficiencies and say look, for the betterment of this country, let those who can do it, do it because we all have one common objective which is to get Chastanet off the backs of Saint Lucians. If we believe that, okay it is my turn, it is not my turn, I don’t think that’s the approach to take,” said Frederick.
“It is not about turns Richard. The people will decide that,” Felix responded.
Frederick further advised: “I agree but I’m just saying we need to recognize where we fall short and tell ourselves it’s nineteen years Labour has not won Castries Central, it is now time for Labour to win Castries Central, let those who can do it, do it.”
The former minister remained confident: “And I believe the Labour Party will win with a Stanley Felix!”
“For a third time Stanley, I don’t think so,” Frederick said in closing.
Last month, Frederick took the SLP’s leadership to task for their candidate selection: https://stluciastar.com/richard-frederick-blasts-slp-you-are-playing-into-chastanets-hands/
