Will SLP MPs join Frederick’s “Anti-Chastanet Drive?”

It remains unclear whether Saint Lucia Labour Party MPs will join the “anti-Chastanet” round the island motorcade scheduled for Sunday. In a statement on Monday, Richard Frederick announced he would be calling upon the opposition MPs and their supporters, as well as “disgruntled” United Workers Party supporters, to join him.

Beginning in Castries, the motorcade is expected to make stops in the various constituencies. The event comes on the heels of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet’s recent walk-throughs in several communities island-wide. With the prime minister recently indicating that Saint Lucians could soon be heading to the polls, Frederick has expressed concerns that the main opposition party may be caught unprepared.

Said an irate Frederick: “Chastanet en tout tou [Chastanet is in every hole]. He was in Dennery, he was in Laborie, he was in Choiseul, he was in Anse la Raye, he was in Soufriere, he in the Valley. Oh please man Chastanet, leave our country for us man. Leave it for us!”

Frederick went on: “Chastanet is making his rounds and it hurts to see the Labour Party. It seems that they are on the back foot… In St. Kitts the prime minister, he declared a state of emergency, called his elections, had an advantage over the opposition Labour Party in St. Kitts-Nevis, and then beat them 10-1. It will not happen in this country. We need to take our country back!”

The former government minister turned show host added: “All reds wear your reds. All yellows that want to see Chastanet out, wear your yellows, and make a statement to him. Enough is enough.”

Speaking with the STAR today (Wednesday) the SLP’s political leader Philip J. Pierre was not in a position to say if his fellow MPs would be on the motorcade. He said he had no problem with individuals showing their disapproval with the actions of the government, once it is done in a legal manner.

Said Pierre: “The SLP believes that people have a right to show their discontent with the government. When the activity was planned, the party was not consulted on the date but the SLP has no issue with our supporters who want to express their discontent with the government.”

Pierre further stated: “As I said before the parliamentarians did not know before that it was taking place and they may have planned activities in their constituency, but we have no issues with anyone showing their disapproval with the actions of this government.”

Shortly before the Labour Party’s motion of no confidence was brought to the House, Richard Frederick said at a “people’s rally” attended by leading SLP personnel, including Moses JnBaptiste, Kenny Anthony and Philip J. Pierre that “come December Saint Lucia will have a new prime minister—and I, Richard Frederick will lead the charge.” By all the signs, it looks like Richard Frederick is once again leading the charge to remove Allen Chastanet from office.