An Assessment of Philip J Pierre’s 3rd Year in Government: F Minus (Failed)

As the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government celebrates three years in office with fanfare and pomp, touting a list of accomplishments that seem to impress only themselves, the harsh reality for most St. Lucians is a stark contrast. These have been dark, trying times of financial hardship, where the few have been enriched at the expense of the many, and the middle class is steadily eroding. The government’s response to the country’s challenges has been an incessant cycle of fetes and bachannal, a reckless abandonment of responsibility that has left the nation reeling. Behind the façade of celebration and self- congratulation, the truth is that this government has failed the people of Saint Lucia in the most fundamental way.

The value of human life Is paramount, and I believe that a government’s effectiveness should be measured by its impact on the health, well-being, and socio-economic status of its citizens. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Human life is a precious gift, and it is our duty to preserve and protect it.”

Today marks the third anniversary of the Philip J. Pierre-led Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration’s landslide electoral victory. While politicians, analysts, and supporters from both sides of the political spectrum debate the national debt, alleged mismanagement and corruption in the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), unemployment rates, tourism growth, the decline of the agricultural sector, particularly bananas, the deplorable state of the road network, the subpar healthcare system, the 40- year lease of the lucrative cruise ports to a foreign entity, the protracted St. Jude Hospital Project, the stalled Hewanorra International Airport Redevelopment Project, the onerous 2.5% Health and Security Levy, and numerous other socio-economic challenges plaguing Saint Lucia, one critical issue that appears to have been overlooked is the number of lives lost to COVID-19 and the homicide rate since this administration took office three years ago.

When Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre assumed office on July 27, 2021, Saint Lucia had recorded 88 deaths due to COVID-19. By September 2022, only 14 months later, the number had grown to 302. According to the Corona Virus Resource Center of the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, the current number of St. Lucians who have lost their lives due to COVID-19 stands at 409. In contrast, during the 14-month period under the Allen Chastanet-led United Workers Party (UWP) administration, 88 people lost their lives to COVID-19. It is striking that almost 220 more people died from the virus in a similar 14- month period under the Philip J. Pierre SLP administration. This raises questions about the administration’s handling of the pandemic. Did the relaxation of restrictions and the tinkering with the COVID-19 Protection and Control Act 2020, by the SLP administration upon assuming office, contribute to this significant increase in COVID-19-related deaths?

The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. The loss of life is not just a statistic; it represents the devastating impact on families and loved ones who have been left to grieve and suffer. In a small country like Saint Lucia, with a population of approximately 180,000, the effects of this tragedy are felt deeply and widely. The pain and anguish of losing a loved one due to the pandemic are immeasurable, and the scars will linger for years to come. If it can be proven that the government’s actions, or lack thereof, contributed to this tragic increase in COVID-19-related deaths, then the administration must be held accountable. The value of life is priceless, and no amount of apology or compensation can replace the loss of a loved one. The government’s responsibility is to protect and serve its citizens, and it is essential that they are held to the highest standard of accountability. The people of Saint Lucia deserve nothing less.

Furthermore, the alarming rise in violent crime is another critical issue that cannot be ignored. Since this government took office three years ago, approximately 230 people have been murdered, an unprecedented number in a three-year period in this country. This translates to a record average of approximately 75 homicides per year, with young men being the primary victims. This is a staggering loss of life. Young men, the future of our nation, are being slaughtered on our streets, and the government’s response has been woefully inadequate.

The question that must be asked is, why has the number of homicides grown exponentially underthisgovernment? Itisintriguingtoobservethatoneoftheinitialactionsundertaken by the government was to expunge all charges and convictions of individuals who had violated the COVID-19 protection law. Did this decision send a message that the rule of law would not be enforced, and that individuals could act with impunity? The people of Saint Lucia deserve answers, and it is the government’s responsibility to provide them.

The value of life Is not just a slogan; it is a fundamental human right that must be protected and respected. The government’s failure to address these critical issues is a dereliction of duty, and it is essential that they are held accountable for their actions.

As we move forward, it is imperative that we remember the precious nature of life and the responsibility of government to protect it. Anything less is unacceptable. The people of Saint Lucia deserve a government that will prioritize their lives, their safety, and their well- being above all else. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust placed in them.

I unequivocally assign the Philip J. Pierre SLP administration a resounding F, and if the grading scale permitted, I would venture to introduce a new category – an F-minus, or perhaps even an F-failed, to adequately convey the depth of disappointment and disillusionment their performance after three years in office warrants.

The sheer inadequacy of their governance over the past three years is nothing short of appalling. It is a testament to the administration’s glaring ineptitude that they have managed to squander the trust and confidence of the electorate, leaving in their wake a trail of unfulfilled promises, broken dreams, and shattered expectations. The Pierre administration’s tenure has been a catastrophic exercise in mismanagement, marked by a glaring lack of vision, a dearth of effective policy implementation, and an apparent disregard for the welfare of the people they were elected to serve.