CASTRIES, St Lucia – October began with the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) –“ the mood is red” – and The United Workers Party (UWP) – “yellow is the code” – chanting and trading press releases in the quest to defend democracy and the rule of law, the state of crime and the police force, citizen security and matters of free speech.

Continuing the political atmosphere by design, the two political parties have also headed off the traditional start of the high court session, and the judicial hierarchy, while leaving nothing to chance for the home stretch to Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, acceding to – ring (ing) the bell – a traditional declaration of general elections.

Meanwhile, the political playing field is entrenched with the power of elected representatives and political participants, with claims of previous voter fraud and caution of a repeat of the electoral practices of 2021, an outcry of enhanced voter suppression, systematic inconveniencing of voters and voter rights have crept into the conversation of plundering democracy.

But far from the inherent insult to democracy, to defending democracy, and exposing hypocrisy, the playing field of entrenched powers are unmistakably battering efforts to campaign financing and the politics of crime.

Prime Minister Pierre continues to focus on citizen security, external operational cooperation, technical equipment, and mutual initiatives. Including the use of all legal methods to rid criminal elements that threaten our security and peace.

The Pierre administration's legislative agenda is not segregated from electoral accountability heading into the general election. Inclusive of this is the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2023), the introduction of judge-alone trials to help address case backlogs, the $35.9M Northern Divisional Police Headquarters , and the $143 million Halls of Justice project, to consolidate the nation's courts and judicial services. Recently, a newly built Custody Suites was opened to serve as a centralised facility to detain individuals who have been arrested, helping to relieve pressure on overcrowded police stations.

While campaigning for the 2016 elections, Allen Chastanet boasted that he would take care of our crime problem. His slogan was“ Kenny can't, I will .” The record speaks for itself: a rise in criminal activity.

The politics of crime continues to weaken the foundation of the judicial system. It imposes a burden on checks and balances and makes it harder to obtain crucial information, even with the integration of technology and modern buildings.

The UWP press release on Monday advocates that it:

“Rejects the desperate political theater of the Saint Lucia Labour Party, which has sought once again to distract the public from its own failures by pointing fingers at others. The facts remain clear: it is Labour that has built a culture of tolerance for criminality, not the UWP.”

“The UWP blames SLP for welcoming individuals of questionable character, accused of heinous acts, into its inner circle and cabinet, showing no hesitation in aligning itself with those under clouds of suspicion.

“Failed to deliver any crime plan while shamelessly blaming the police for their inaction. Instead of empowering the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Labour undermines officers' morale by using them as scapegoats whenever its weak policies collapse.

“Silenced dissent and crushed opposing voices, whether from civil society, the media, or ordinary citizens, proving that it prefers control over democracy.

“Yet, when convenient, the SLP suddenly wraps itself in the language of“love” and“unity,” said the UWP.“This selective morality is nothing more than a smokescreen to hide the rot at the heart of their governance. The hypocrisy is glaring: Labour cannot preach about peace and love while enabling a culture that emboldens criminals, attacks institutions of law and order, and stifles free expression. Saint Lucians deserve a government that acts, not one that silences and showboats.”

The SLP, on the other hand, issued a press release expressing:

“Grave concern over the reckless and dangerous remarks made by UWP candidate, Callix“Kakal” Xavier, during a recent community meeting. In his statement, Xavier declared, “... if you snitch, you sleep,” a phrase widely associated with gangs and criminal activity .”

The release continued: “ ... This latest episode is part of a troubling pattern. The UWP has normalised dangerous, divisive, and inflammatory rhetoric on its platforms and in media appearances. Its political leader, Allen Chastanet has either looked the other way or quietly approved, giving a green light to this brand of reckless politics. The hypocrisy is glaring. The UWP claims to champion the fight against crime, yet one of its endorsed candidates openly parrots the language of criminals.”

Perhaps most alarming is the never-ending contempt. And the abuse of power to which sequestering accountability puts democracy at risk. And far from defending democracy and the judicial system, the pattern is unmistakable: to guard against authoritarianism, who promised to lower food prices, lower gas prices, and reduce the cost of living from day one, of assuming office, that never materialised.

The politics of crime must not be a distraction to serve as a political leader, and certain candidates, to model preferred images and likeness, posing their will to confuse the discussion. At every opportunity, the principle of authoritarianism and UWP leadership must confront the reality of wanting to serve self and ego.

In support of democracy and to improve citizen security, the invocation of service above self must once again be on the table. And the shedding of political stripes of dogma, conspiracy and exceptionalism – “It's in my DNA”.

In favour of such a move,“tackling crime with real solutions, addressing the high cost of living, creating jobs for our people and building a stronger, safer Saint Lucia' would ease a great deal of pressure,” without the desire to thwart democratic governance.

The politics of crime increases the fear of instability. It adds to 'the struggles of ordinary Saint Lucians', driving law enforcement and the judiciary into a political tool.

In exchange for the escalated tensions and to restore order, it is acceptable to turn the political tool into an influence campaign of honesty, intelligence and competence, to restore order and continued legitimate authority in Saint Lucia.

@GlobalCaribbean

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