The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has taken the ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) to task in the controversy over the origin of the Independence Baton Relay.
In a statement on Tuesday, the UWP noted that independence, attained in 1979, is an occasion to celebrate achievements, promote unity and restore pride as Saint Lucians progress as one people.
But the statement noted that since 1979, the mantra of the Saint Lucia Labour Party had been anything but unity.
“Instead, theirs has been a platform of divisiveness, destruction and deceit,” it noted.
And the UWP declared that this year is no different.
“As we celebrate our 44th independence anniversary, the United Workers Party is baffled that the SLP would seek to divide our young people and dishonor them, by laying claim to an activity that the young people worked very hard at conceptualizing, as part of the 40th independence anniversary back in 2019,” the opposition party said.
According to the UWP, the independence Baton Relay making the rounds from community to community is being claimed by the SLP’s Richard Frederick and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as his initiative.
“That is simply not true!” The UWP asserted.
The party recalled that in 2019, the National Youth Council (NYC) , through its then President, Jeshrun Andrew, was invited to be part of the planning committee for independence under the chairmanship of Jeanine Giraudy-Mcintyre.
The UWP said one of the first major activities planned by the NYC that year was the baton relay, which the council dubbed “Strides of Unity”.
“The concept, as the NYC explained, was to kick off a unity baton relay from the Governor General’s residence and have it traverse every community using runners, walkers, cyclists, skateboarders and featuring notable personalities and community leaders in each community.
“The idea was to restore pride in each community and to unify our beautiful Saint Lucia. At each point, our youth were rightfully central to this independence event,” the UWP said.
The UWP said the ‘false claim’ by Richard Frederick, and his office has understandably angered the NYC and the young people of Saint Lucia.
“This wound has now been made worse now that Youth and Sports Minister Kenson Casimir has thrown his support behind his cabinet colleague’s dishonest and hostile behavior towards the National Youth Council,” the opposition party declared.
As a result, the UWP called on Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre to distance himself from what the party described as ‘this falsehood,’ apologise to the NYC and give Saint Lucia’s young people the honour and respect they deserve, not mere lip service.
Oh well ! Cry a river; there, there, there,…… in other news Allen Chastanet was seen on a local beach getting a tan, he was pink like cooked lobster while sipping a Mai Tai, there was fete close by the music was………
Yeap another example of politicians polytricking and yes they will those who will swallow hook, line and sinker.
Maje’ Again who’s trying to take the credit for something UWP bc you bringing’ it up like 7”” woiii Happy Independence St Lucia an Thanks to SLP for Queens chain in CasEN Bas it’s not enough thou’.
RITE NOW ITS LIKE THE ONLY THING THAT WILL SATISFY THE UWP IS TO SEE ALL SLP CABINET OF MINISTERS TURN ON EACH OTHER AND PERFORM AN ASSASINATION ON EACH OTHER…..LIKE REALLY, NOTHING SLP DOES DESERVES SOME CREDIT….ELECTIONS DONE ALREADY YET UWP STILL IN CAMPAIGN MODE….CRYING STILL OVER THE LOSS….NO MATTER WHAT URL SAY ,WE HAVE SPOKEN AND THE PPL WILL SPEAK AGAIN IN A FEW YEAR…URL AV ALOT MORE CRYING TO DO…..
“Allen Chastnet was seen on a local beach”. Does that comment have any relevance to the issue raised by the leader of the opposition ? That is irrelevant and foolish. If one cannot debunk the opposition leader, it is better to say nothing ! Make sensible respectful comments on this platform
What majee is this. What is the purpose of this garbage I have read? UWP, if you do not have a communications person . . . Get one now (free suggestion).
Instead of writing about baton relay, why don’t the UWP tell us the amount of passports that were sold during their term in office. We want to know.
For in the days of our forefathers until now,our sins are higher than our heads and our guilts has reached the heavens,our sins has become great …
Cruel bondage and discouragment
Though we were slaves,our God has not desert no one in bondage sin …
Show me your friends and I will tell you, who they are…
“Now,search to find out juste an honest man out there…
Real Freedom
Walk in the light
Love ❤️one another ❗
GOD
“Woe to you,O land 🇱🇨 St-Lucia,whose king was a servant”.
May 🇱🇨 St-Lucia bear the conséquences of their sins and responsiblity of their offenses and wickedness….
The slp hack on a roll. But they have a short memory. The slammed the previous government successfully from day one, never give them a chance to breath. Instead of debunking the statement they jus keep hitting below the belt. Ban fair and others cry me a river.
This is the modus operandi of this current administration. This is what St. Lucians voted for. What an absolute waste! And for the Minister of Youth to support this nonsense is unsurprising. The youth are watching and paying attention.
So wait every nonsense chastanet says no matter how ridiculous it is somebody has to debunk the nonsense. Choops
I know Richard Frederick could have NEVER come up with such. This guy is just too shallow