Two political figures who previously served under Labour administrations have publicly defended Stanley Felix’s decision to contest the Castries Central seat as an independent candidate.
Former SLP public relations officer Jadia Jn Pierre and ex-cabinet minister Dr James Fletcher took to social media this week to applaud Felix’s decision and condemn the backlash he faced.
“Stanley Felix is my colleague and friend,” Jn Pierre wrote on Facebook Monday evening. “For those who are cursing him and posting degrading comments: please know that Stanley is unaffected by your insults,” she said. “What he has endured is far worse than your words. It is sad that we cannot disagree respectfully.”
Jn Pierre, who served as press secretary to former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony, praised Felix for exercising his democratic right and said she looked forward to his campaign.
On Tuesday, Fletcher echoed her sentiments, commending Jn Pierre for her “consistency, honesty and the great example she sets for all supporters of political parties in our country: Defend your party fiercely, but never lose your soul or your civility in that defence.”
He described Felix as a friend and former Cabinet colleague. “I sat next to Stanley in Cabinet for almost five years and I can attest to his deep sense of caring and compassion for the people of Castries Central,” Fletcher said.
“Clearly, Stanley’s affection for the residents of Central is compelling him to take this bold step of contesting the upcoming election as an independent candidate. That is his constitutional and democratic right, and I applaud his bravery and conviction.”
Fletcher lamented the public’s growing cynicism toward politicians, stating, “I continue to hope for the day when election campaigns will be conducted with less rancour and bad blood and more sensible discussion of the many issues that confront us as a people and a nation.”
Felix’s announcement on DBS television Monday, under the tagline “viv ansanm” and the colour orange, added fresh intrigue to the already charged lead-up to the next general election. His candidacy drew both commendation and tribal criticism from supporters of the two main parties, SLP and UWP.
Felix first entered politics in 2011 as the SLP’s candidate for Castries Central, narrowly losing to the UWP’s Richard Frederick. He was later appointed Minister for Physical Development, Housing and Urban Renewal. In 2016, he again contested the seat, losing to Sarah Flood Beaubrun. In 2021, the SLP did not field a candidate, and Frederick, then running as an independent, won the seat and joined the incoming SLP government.
Felix was appointed President of the Senate in the new administration. However, in October 2022, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre revoked his position following a “perversion of justice” charge. The case was dismissed in 2024, which Pierre said was “welcomed”. Felix, however, claimed he was unceremoniously dismissed and that party support was “non-existent”.
On Monday, Felix described his return to politics as “a homecoming”.
“Let me make this clear tonight. I am exercising my constitutional and democratic right to run for the people of Castries Central,” he said. “I may have been betrayed, but I am not broken. I may have been knocked down, but I rise again, and I rise with you.”
