Saint Lucia Political Debate Schedule

A debate between the two party leaders in Saint Lucia is something many Saint Lucians dream of, but it may never happen because it is not in line with Saint Lucian culture or tradition to do so.

By debate we mean a political debate, which is a discussion between two or more persons on one or more topics, but more specifically between two candidates, preferably the leaders of the Saint Lucia Labour Party and the United Workers Party.

Such discussions/debates serve to resolve differences, or, if not resolve them, at least to draw out the many different viewpoints between the two parties.

Because of these differences or disputes, we believe that a debate between the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia and the Leader of the Opposition is necessary. Why? Because we believe it will improve the political wisdom of the country and give voters a clearer understanding of which party is best suited to govern the country.

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Inspired by the American political system, debates between presidential candidates are an important aspect of the campaign season and the benefits of such debates in Saint Lucia are undeniable and are more evident now than before.

The idea of ​​holding a debate between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition is not new as it was mooted many years ago, reflecting the belief that the political landscape in Saint Lucia was ripe for citizens to discern which party could effectively govern the country. However, the idea failed to gain traction and quickly died out, leaving many disappointed. There was a strong belief that such a debate would reveal which candidates lacked substance, spontaneity, and the ability to provide comprehensive answers to challenging questions.

In the past, it has been hotly argued that such debates could have given voters a better understanding of each party’s core values. In addition, debates could have provided insight into which party could adequately address tough issues that were not explicitly addressed in its manifesto. While we acknowledge that such debates may not be decisive in influencing voters’ decisions, Pew Research Center research clearly shows that debates play a vital role in helping voters make informed choices.

We are aware of the historical significance of the US presidential debates and their potential to sway undecided voters and solidify public opinion about the candidates, all of which points to the undeniable power of such debates. Tradition aside, fear of such influence may be a significant factor in the reluctance of the Saint Lucia Labour Party and the United Workers Party to engage in political debates between their leaders.

We firmly believe that the debate between political leaders will be seen as a very positive step that can irrefutably strengthen and shed light on modern Saint Lucian politics. The prospect of Prime Minister Philippe J. Pierre and Opposition Leader Alan Chastanet sharing a platform in a controlled atmosphere to discuss key issues such as the economy, crime, education, health and unemployment, youth unemployment can only be a win-win for the country.

We highlight that this is likely to fundamentally change political perspectives in Saint Lucia and create important moments that could reshape or influence the course of political leadership and campaigning.

Looking at the debate issue from all sides, we unequivocally believe that the introduction of such debates will benefit Saint Lucia immensely. It will be undeniable evidence of the maturing of our democratic process.