There’s a story circulating on social media platforms claiming that the Prime Minister has sought the cover of the US and the OAS for him to delay the calling of general elections. My initial reaction to that story was one of incredulity, and so I scoffed at it. I dismissed it notwithstanding that I previously heard the PM’s father, during an appearance on a talk show, call for the delaying of elections beyond October, so that his son could recover “lost ground” due to the COVID pandemic.
I then read another story wherein the PM suggested that elections should or could be delayed until herd immunity is achieved. Whilst the suggestion is equally laughable, it nonetheless caused all my antennae and the hackles on my back to be raised, for I was immediately reminded of the saying: “When someone shows you their colour the first time believe them.”
From inception, this administration has shown us their colour or their governing philosophy. On July 12, 2016, when a reporter asked Allen Chastanet why the opening of Parliament was more than 30 days after the election, contrary to what was specified in the Constitution, his response was a clear indication of how he would manage the affairs and decision making of the State. His response was that there were no specified penalties for going beyond the 30-day requirement specified in the Constitution.
Parliament opened on 12 July, 2016 and, consistent with the Constitutional requirements, a Deputy Speaker was elected. At the Swearing-in Ceremony for Cabinet members, held a few weeks prior, Sarah Flood-Beaubrun was not sworn- in, but held in reserve so she could be appointed Deputy Speaker, allowing the administration to fulfill the constitutional requirements for the proper opening and functioning of Parliament. Little did the unsuspecting public realize Chastanet was again about to violate the spirit of the very Constitution he had sworn to uphold and protect.
On the 13th July 2016, the day following the opening of Parliament, Allen Chastanet facilitated the resignation of Sarah Flood Beaubrun as Deputy Speaker and sought her appointment to his Cabinet. He sought a loophole to exploit, using the logic that the Constitution did not state that the majority party was obligated to appoint the Deputy Speaker as long as such was not convenient to them. So for nearly its entire duration, this Parliament has been operating without a Deputy Speaker, if not contrary to the letter of the Constitution, certainly contrary to its spirit. Thus if there is no penalty for his action, Allen Chastanet will do whatever he wants, conventions or the concerns of others be damned.
On more than one occasion, Allen Chastanet told members of the Opposition, that despite being elected to Parliament, they had no right or had lost their right to speak on issues and thus he was going to disregard their concerns. His surrogates took their cue from him. Anytime a Saint Lucian raised any concern or attempted to critique the policy or action of the government the surrogates, like hyenas, went on the attack attempting to silence or delegitimize those critical voices. Many non-elected persons and supporters of the governing party were anxious to let the public know who is “all-in” and who is not.
History has already warned us. The French philosopher, Charles-Louis Montesquieu, in a 1748 publication, ‘The Spirit of Laws,’ argued: “The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.” We need to heed his warning.
The aforementioned instances are not the only examples that can be provided about the Prime Minister’s attitude. They have been so frequent that it seems the public has become inured and his misconduct is met with a collective shrug. Chastanet is counting on public passivity as his secret weapon to pursue agendas, many of which are inimical to the national wellbeing.
Some recent transfers, promotions and appointments in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force do not ease my anxiety. This unease should only be heightened when one remembers the nonchalance and flimsy excuses provided for the dismissal of the Attorney General and the Cabinet Secretary, as well as other Permanent Secretaries.
The current SOE gives the Prime Minister great powers and prescribes no penalties to him for mishandling them. Thus he’s aware that he has great latitude to do as he pleases. Many of us enjoy and maybe applying Patrice Roberts’ tune “Carry-On” but we should note that this is how democracies die—not in darkness but in full view of a public that couldn’t care less. Even though the people dance “carry on” I shall point the political directorate to Bunji Garlin’s tune “In the Struggle” where he asks: “You think this come with a free pass?”
Be warned!
This article first appeared in the May 2021 edition of the STAR Monthly Review. Be sure to get your printed copy on newsstands or view it here: https://issuu.com/starbusinessweek/docs/star_monthly_review_-_may_31_2021
