EDITORIAL: Civil society, please stand up

The results of the December 1 general election further diminished the opposition’s standing in the Saint Lucia House of Assembly, from two members to one. Since then, many have been asking: from where will the checks and balances come to help safeguard our democracy without a formidable opposition?

The reality is that we have inherited a winner‑take‑all system – “majoritarian representation” – in which absolute power is handed to the party receiving the most votes in each electoral district. As it has happened before (16–1), it has happened again, and as long as this system remains unchanged, it can happen yet again, with the real possibility of a clean sweep – 17–0 – someday.

The question is this: until constitutional reform addresses this imbalance, what do we do? What happens when people believe they may be rendered powerless – voiceless, even – in the face of a government that has won by a landslide, now controls all state resources, and faces no requirement for a two‑thirds majority to pass or amend legislation?

This is where the voices of influential citizens, community leaders and civil society must be amplified.

In progressive democracies, such voices offer impartial insight on national issues, demand accountability, recommend checks against corruption, promote social justice and serve as a bridge between citizens and government.

In recent years, however, we have witnessed the erosion of civil society groups in Saint Lucia. Many individuals also shy away from speaking to the media on pertinent issues, fearing marginalisation or being labelled one colour or another. Dissenting voices are too often, and too easily, aligned with the opposition.

Yet we believe that, as Saint Lucians, every voice should contend – and that holding a view which challenges the government should not make one an enemy.

We have also seen social media and some local radio talk shows become platforms for scathing attacks on those with whom hosts or self‑appointed pundits disagree. Certainly, this ought not to be.

At his swearing‑in on December 5, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre called for a shift away from rising negativity and intolerance in our society, particularly online. “It should not be a platform for vilifying and destroying others with whom we disagree through slander, malicious rumours, propaganda, misinformation and disinformation,” he said.

We believe this applies to everyone – including those in positions of power – who, by their words and actions on social media and elsewhere, too often fan the flames of discord, intolerance and negativity.

We reiterate that it is time for civil society, independent thinkers and influential citizens to stand up and be counted.

These groups and individuals should not emerge only during moments of impasse or when pressured by the public for comment. There must be consistency in their pronouncements on national issues.

For far too long, some organisations have been silent or speak out only on matters directly affecting them. We call on the trade unions, the National Youth Council, the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, the Saint Lucia Bar Association, the Saint Lucia Christian Council, community groups, environmentalists, human rights advocates, cultural activists, clubs and many others to raise their voices on the myriad national issues that confront us.

We need to hear these voices through our triumphs, trials and travails. They should be voices of reason – influencing policy and advocating for change – not self‑serving, but always with the voiceless, disenfranchised and marginalised in mind.

These groups and individuals should help create a thriving, enabling environment in which real power resides with citizens, and those elected truly serve and represent all.

As Saint Lucians, every voice should matter, while upholding the basic tenet that we can disagree respectfully – and that disagreement does not make us enemies.

We are reminded of Sir John Compton who, in 2006 after being sworn in as prime minister, said: “Now that the tumult and the shouting has died, now that the war drums of political rhetoric beat no longer, now that the battle flags have been furled, let us now proceed… where strife and discord will no longer dim our children’s toil and rest.”

With these thoughts in mind, it is our hope that citizens, civil society and government can help reshape this society into one where tolerance is paramount and love and unity guide our thinking.

Only then can we boldly sing the last lines of our national anthem: “May our people live united, strong in soul and strong in arm. Justice, truth and charity, our ideals forever be.”