Is SLP split reaction to Marigot incident indicative of ugly past?

The Gros Islet SLP Constituency Group and the wider community are urging the Minister Lenard Montoute to be an example and a responsible Representative to young people and the constituency at large and call upon him to issue an unreserved apology for his behaviour, which is now the subject of intense debate, not only locally, but regionally and internationally.” So reads the final line of the SLP press release issued on Thursday. Ironically, the communiqué says less about the man under attack by his opposition than it does about the Tower of Babel that the SLP appears to be since its change of leadership. The evidence has also been seen in the opposition’s conflicting position on government bills. No need to resurrect what the main individuals in the Marigot matter have in turn described as nothing worth fussing over. More interesting is the SLP senator Joachim Henry’s solicited comment: “I see the outburst as one in which the minister believed his rights were being violated. Whereas we, as politicians, are in the public eye, and at all times are expected to demonstrate that we promote right values, it is also important that persons be reminded that politicians are also human beings who can get annoyed—especially when being treated unfairly.”

Compare that with this from the press release: “Mr. Montoute took to the airwaves via various talk shows and displayed a level of arrogance, citing that he will not tolerate disrespect from anyone in his own land. Further, the racial undertones directed at the owner are unbecoming of the minister who represents the largest constituency that consists of the most diverse population in all of Saint Lucia.”

Egregiously written, it suggests party leader Philip J. Pierre, a known appreciator of good prose, had no hand in preparing the release, and may have read it only after publication. Is ugly history about to repeat itself?”