As expected, he visited his safe havens of press conferences and Timothy Poleon’s shows to let off some steam from his defeat by the court and order to pay in his case against the Comptroller of Customs for the seizure of Ernest Hilaire’s vehicle. As if his disillusionment and tirades were not enough – his onslaught of attacks on local institutions did not falter. In a democratic society, public institutions play a vital role in promoting stability, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. However, Allen Chastanet is synonymous with crusades to undermine these institutions, posing a significant threat to the very foundations of a functioning democracy. As Prime Minister, you may recall his attempts at dismantling so many of our local institutions and continues to do so as Leader of the Opposition.
Undermining the Judiciary:
One of the most critical public institutions is the judiciary, responsible for interpreting and applying the law impartially. When a former Prime Minister who has been to the courts more often than some lawyers attacks the character of our judges once he loses a case, it can erode public trust in the fairness and integrity of the legal system. However, when this same former Prime Minister and now Leader of the Opposition wins in these same courts, “justice has been served”. Such is the juvenile behaviour of a man who made very few attempts at ameliorating the conditions of courts or their processes. Chastanet’s disdain for the local and regional judiciary is not new as he led a weak train of supporters in a march against the CCJ in favour of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, a court that has been begging its former colonies to leave.
Attacking the Press:
A free and independent press is essential for holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency. However, Allen Chastanet is known for his attacks and disdain for local media. Once fact-checked or probed for more honest answers, he undermines the media by dismissing critical reporting as "biased” or labeling journalists as enemies of the people. True to form, the Opposition UWP has read the playbook of Chastanet and we saw the Public Relations Officer of the UWP Lenard Spider Montoute go on a tirade against the media at their latest press conference. This behaviour again seeks to undermine the public's trust in the media's ability to provide accurate and unbiased information. The UWP is known for its threats and dismissal of the media however this intimidation seeks to erode the checks and balances necessary for a healthy democracy, as citizens are deprived of objective reporting and diverse viewpoints.
Politicising Intelligence Agencies:
Intelligence agencies are crucial for national security and providing accurate information to policymakers. However, under Allen Chastanet, we saw the rampant politicisation of these agencies by pressuring them to align with his political agenda. This sought to compromise the integrity and effectiveness of intelligence gathering. We witnessed the dismissal of a Commissioner of Police in favour of a contracted worker. The appointment of a Director of Public Prosecution on contract for an obscene salary, not in keeping with the Public Service salary scale. The changing of two Comptrollers of Customs to seize Ernest Hilaire’s vehicle. This behaviour undermines the public's trust in the intelligence community and can lead to biased decision-making, potentially jeopardising the nation's security.
Undermining Public Confidence:
Perhaps the most significant consequence of an Allen Chastanet’s reign as Prime Minister and even now as Leader of the Opposition has been the undermining of public institutions and the erosion of public confidence in the government itself. When citizens lose faith in the institutions designed to protect their rights and ensure their well-being, it can lead to widespread disillusionment, apathy, and a decline in civic engagement. The removal and demotion of the Cabinet Secretary, the head of the Public Service was one of his first acts, signaling to public servants that he was prepared to victimize anyone. His poor governance continued with the ordering of senior public servants to issue cheques for vaccines that St. Lucia never received and didn’t need; the cancellation of negotiated funding for the Hewanorra International Airport and the Castries-Gros Islet Highway, and the awarding of Direct Finance Contracts with a 5-year repayment period are just a few examples of what passed for governance in this country not too long ago. These actions weakened the democratic process and made it easier for the authoritarian tendencies of Allen Chastanet to take root.
A Prime Minister who undermined public institutions posed a grave threat to democracy. By weakening the judiciary, attacking the free press, politicising intelligence agencies, and eroding public confidence, Allen Chastanet was allowed to undermine the very foundations of our democratic society. As Opposition Leader, he has not accepted the power shift and continues to believe that his abusive and authoritarian style can command all of his subjects to do his bidding. The brand and style of politics of an Allen Chastanet continue to undermine the very fabric of this society with the constant attack on professionals. The palatable vitriol from his performance of News Maker Live on Wednesday night is evidence of a man stuck on July 26, 2021.
By Patriotic Lucian