Is There a Captain on Board

The leader of the opposition now has the opportunity to unify his party and use that momentum to gather the people behind a new vision for St Lucia. After the last election the ruling United Workers Party and their leader Sir John Compton were given a mandate by the people. Prime Minister Compton and his party were expected to govern, however the unfortunate and untimely passing away of Sir John changed everything.Providing that the leader of the opposition and his party can project a unified front, then they can tap into St Lucian’s desire for change.

The opposition have not portrayed a strong unified front over the last few years, that may benefit them in the long run. Because they did not muster up much opposition to the ruling party, the ruling party have had the opportunity to govern the ship of State with minimal interference. As a matter of fact the ruling party have spent resources and time trying, for want of a better term, "shedding light on the opposition’s leader activities during his time in office". St Lucian's have weighed and measured both parties and it is left to the people to deliver the verdict, on their abilities to govern.

When the St Lucia Labour Party found themselves facing a United Workers Party leadership change, they could have easily used the situation as an excuse to force another election. The opposition could have said that the people deserve an opportunity to vote in a Prime minister of their choice, since the New Prime Minister was not voted in as leader of the country. As time has passed and prudently, no real effort was made to replace the ruling party, the overall outcome has made it favorable for the opposition to now contest the ruling party.

The leader of the opposition has been prudent in his actions or rather lack of, over the last few years. He has not forced the issue of another election. The situation is commendable, as we are experiencing a recession and it would have cost the State money and would have engaged our political leaders in campaigning, when they could have otherwise been involved in public service work, on behalf of the citizens.

I now look forward to this election cycle, specifically the narrative associated to it. Hopefully there will be a healthy robust debate on issues affecting the citizens. With so many pertinent issues such as,a spike in the crime rate, youth violence, unemployment in a recessionary cycle, VAT, and leadership,it should be a lively debate.

Hopefully also we have constructive debates centered on the ruling party's achievements during their time in office. I also am interested in learning the opposition expressed vision and mandate as it pertains to these few broad topics. Law and Order, Employment and Economic Development and Good Governance, Accountability and Transparency.

On our little island, we have learned to coexist and live with each other peacefully. We have even managed to thrive creating a language and nurturing two Nobel laureates. We are a resilient people and we continue to prove it. We continue to strive for a better tomorrow everyday that we live. We can make St Lucia better and we should accept no less.