St Lucia opposition walkout after PM shows ‘utter contempt’

The opposition St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) walked out of parliament yesterday, accusing the prime minister of holding his party in contempt.

Parliament was reconvened on Tuesday after an adjournment of over a month, which delayed debate on Prime Minister Allen Chastanet’s first budget.

The SLP leader was quick to stress how this effects the country, with no new initiatives or capital expenditure able to move forward.

“It is the first time in the history of the parliament of St Lucia that a debate on a budget – such an important budget, the government’s first budget in office – that the prime minister saw it fitting to adjourn it for 40 days,” Philip J Pierre said.

The the adjournment was only one of a number of issues that led to the protest move.

Pierre, speaking after the walkout, said that that a member of the government would normally respond after an opposition member – but in this case Chastanet refused to allow it.

“We did not stay in the parliament this morning – we will not give the prime minister the courtesy of listening to him because he has shown utter contempt for the people and the parliament of St Lucia,” the SLP leader said.

‘Tongue-tied’

Chastanet slammed the SLP’s decision to leave, accusing them of excusing themselves because they were unprepared.

“We gave them six weeks to prepare themselves and they just seemed to be tongue-tied again and not able to deliver,” he said.

The prime minister said that he did give the opposition a chance to speak.

“It was only when I saw that nobody was going to speak that we decided “okay, obviously they have nothing to say’ and I decided to conclude my debate.”

Positive result?

Yesterday, Allen Chastanet told reporters that the reduction in unemployment was good news for the country.

“That’s a first step. We are not close to being where we want to be but we are moving very hard and very quickly to turn around the economy and the future of the people of St Lucia,” he said.