First and foremost, let me say I am not partisan. Which is not to say I am neutral. Or without bias. I am not a supporter or a defender of either the United Workers Party or the St. Lucia Labour Party. I do not buy into the notion that the electorate has only two choices, less or greater evils. This is the false dichotomy used to keep the nation politically divided, unable to use the power of unity that could bring about meaningful change; change that could effectively rearrange our system to the benefit of us all. I stand firmly behind the invisible line in the sand where live the disenfranchised, disinterested and disgruntled masses.
Shortly after the SLP leader Mr. Philip J. Pierre delivered his address at his party’s conference of delegates last Sunday, a Facebook friend invited me to review it. She was especially interested in what Pierre had said about “the youth”. Here goes. About 45 minutes into his nearly 90-minute delivery, Pierre promised: “We will deliver a new tomorrow. Saint Lucia will never look back again.” The line reminded me of the current prime minister who, on the 2016 campaign trail, also pledged to “build a new Saint Lucia” and continues to promise.
Pierre added: “The SLP respects young people and we will fight to give them every opportunity to succeed. We will ensure that young people are engaged in business ventures they enjoy . . . Our youth are worth more than just photo opportunities and gimmicks to make selfish politicians look good.” Who could he have been referring to by “selfish politicians”? That’s like talking about “wet water”.
Remember, this was coming from a high-ranking parliamentarian who for some fifteen years was generally perceived as the member of Cabinet closest to Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, until 2016 the leader of a government most famous for inventing such work programmes as STEP, NICE, YEP and so on—all tax-funded. Are these the jobs Pierre had in mind when he spoke last Sunday of “jobs youth will enjoy”?
Pierre also hinted at “a bold, workable plan for the young people of Saint Lucia”. No details, except that his plan will aim toward economic empowerment, youth participation and youth social justice—whatever that means. He further promised, if elected, a new youth economy that will cater to the special needs of young people interested in sports, entertainment, creative industries, modelling, cultural activities and information technologies.
What did he mean by “special needs”? Are our youth somehow more mentally challenged or differently abled as compared to their adult counterparts? Administration after administration has failed to adequately support and empower the more capable adults. Why should anyone believe a Pierre government would do for the young—and largely unskilled—what he and his colleagues were not able to do for their unemployed and unemployable parents?
But the pièce de résistance of Pierre’s appeal to the youth was his promise that within 100 days of being elected to office, an SLP administration under his leadership will inaugurate a “Youth Economy Task Force” with immediate access to finance, training and development. (Where have we heard something like this before?) He talked amusingly about a “youth business incubator” and promotion of innovation and market access. Why have there never been such opportunities for the general business community?
Many of us have in vain been praying for them for decades—from as far back as the heyday of Sir John Compton. On Sunday the wannabe prime minister assured listeners here and elsewhere: “We will find the resources. Anytime you speak about young people, they ask you where you will get the money from. We will find the resources.” Speaking with Rick Wayne about neglected young people shortly before the 2006 elections, Sir John said: “I have no idea where we’ll get the money to help them, but we’ll just have to find it.” Perhaps Pierre is hoping the line will do for his party at the next elections what it did for the UWP in 2006.
The more we yearn for change, the more things stay the same in Saint Lucia. All our failed politicians do is recycle failed ideas. It remains to be seen whether the electorate, the youth in particular, will have learned something new before the next general elections!
By Jody A. von Wahl
