In one week’s time, Saint Lucia will witness the culmination of an intensely fought parliamentary election cycle. The brief yet fervent three-week campaign period has laid bare the profound divisions inherent within the British-derived winner-takes-all political system that governs this Caribbean nation.
The electoral process has exposed deep societal fractures, with reported incidents of malice, vandalism, and sporadic violence overshadowing substantive political discourse. Familial and community bonds have been strained as political allegiances turned neighbor against neighbor, relative against relative.
Most alarmingly, the campaign witnessed the inappropriate involvement of children, who were reportedly ushered onto sidewalks during nomination day events and handed partisan materials without parental consent. This exploitation of the young has sparked national concern about the erosion of ethical political practices.
The timing of these political tensions presents a particular irony, occurring just as the Christian community enters Advent—a season traditionally marked by peace, goodwill, and spiritual preparation. Instead of reflecting these values, the campaign manifested through vitriolic exchanges and diminished public discourse.
As the nation looks toward December 13th’s Festival of Lights and Renewal followed by Christmas celebrations, there emerges a collective call for compassion and healing. The need for substantive review of the recently signed code of conduct has become increasingly apparent, with advocates urging documentation of campaign shortcomings and improved frameworks for future elections.
The path forward requires balancing rightful celebration for victors with genuine consolation for the defeated, all while recentering the national conversation on the shared project of building a better Saint Lucia for future generations.