Last November, House opposition leader Philip J. Pierre delivered to the clerk of parliament a motion of no-confidence in prime minister Allen Chastanet. The motion was expected to be debated at the December 11 sitting. House Speaker Andy Daniel explained to reporters that in his view the motion “infringes some provisions” of the Standing Orders. Speaker Daniel also said he discussed the matter with the leader of the opposition, and expected the necessary adjustments to be made and the motioned refiled.
This week, Pierre acknowledged receipt of correspondence from the Speaker but wasn’t sure it would be prudent for him to disclose its nature, and added it was “very interesting”. Said Pierre: “He promised to send me a new motion; he hasn’t. So at this point what I can tell you is that the motion is still proposed to be debated but the Speaker still has some concerns. I’m going to await the amended motion and then I will make an announcement.” Pierre says he has no idea when the motion will be heard. He added: “A House meeting was scheduled for next Tuesday but it was abruptly cancelled via phone call.”
Meanwhile, although elections are constitutionally due in 2021, it appears the party is wasting no time getting ready. Pierre revealed that his party intends to be especially busy in 2019. Starting off in the first half of the year, he says, the SLP will hold a “Values and Principles” conference during which it will inform the public on what the party stands for, and also what makes it different from the United Workers Party. Also planned are “policy consultations” during which the public will be asked: How do you want the St. Lucia Labour Party to conduct the affairs of the country and what policies do you want our party to follow?
Pierre says special interest will be directed at the young. “We’re also talking about the young people who some people think are on the block. We’re going to have face to face discussions with them, because many times we have policies that we believe people want, but which people don’t really want them (sic).”
Pierre also stated that the party will look into its constitution to determine whether or not it needs tweaking or changing. “We also are also going to be looking for candidates,” he said. “There are several people, and, you’ll be glad to know, several women who are going to be on our slate.” He refused to confirm the candidacy of former UWP MP Richard Frederick. The most he would say was: “Any citizen of the country can express interest to run elections for our party.”
