Deciding For The Nation

March 9th is the day on which the ruling United Workers Party (UWP) will hold its annual Convention of Delegates.
It is a date that has already grabbed the interest of just about every person in the country, what with all the speculation concerning the possibility of one or more high-profile members of the party making a bid for election to the top positions within the hierarchy … particularly that of Political Leader.
For one, although he has not categorically confirmed it, there are several media reports stating that Rufus Bousquet is interested in the leadership position; and it is being rumoured that Richard Frederick too, may have intentions of throwing his hat into the ring.
Of course Stephenson King, who is not constitutionally the political leader of the UWP, will be a top contender for the position … and who knows what Lenard Montoute’s intentions may be, seeing that he, as the duly-elected first deputy political leader, should probably have, before this, assumed the post … replacing Sir John upon his passing away.
The aspect of the entire exercise about to take place, that assumes an inordinate degree of importance, is that whichever one of the contenders who emerges victorious will – in all probability – as political leader of the party, be expected to also be endorsed by his colleagues as Prime Minister of the country.
Bear in mind that, should any other than Stephenson King, the present Prime Minister be chosen, he may decide that, for whatever reason, it would be best to allow King to continue as Prime Minister … but it would certainly be unprecedented for an elected-to-Parliament political leader to allow someone else in the party to function as Parliamentary leader and Prime Minister.
What then, does all of the above mean?

It means that at the upcoming UWP convention, the 340 delegates (20 from each of the 17 constituencies) will have the power of decision in their hands as regards the identity of St. Lucia’s Prime Minister … for whomever they elect stands every chance of assuming that role.
Never perhaps, has the choice of delegates to a convention been so important to the rest of the country … for never before has a sitting Prime Minister been seriously under threat of losing his position. While in the seat of power, who would ever consider challenging him?
A disturbing aspect of the whole affair is that traditionally, the number of delegates at these affairs comprise, along with members who may be intelligent, sober, logical and business-conscious, some who may not be – or remain for long – as level-headed as they.
And in all their hands, the fate of the country rests.
There is nothing that can be done about it. What is about to transpire is pragmatically, the manner in which our political system functions … regardless of which party is in power.
Democracy rules.
But Fate sometimes has a wry sense of humour.
And on March 9th, a country and an electorate that voted, very particularly, to have Sir John Compton as its Prime Minister, will have a Prime Minister handed to it by a mere 340 people (give or take a few).
Let us hope those who are chosen to make that decision turn out themselves worthy of assuming that immense responsibility.