As Saint Lucia prepares for the next general election, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has expressed his willingness to participate in televised debates but insists that such forums must be grounded in truth and fairness.
Speaking during his weekly pre-cabinet press briefing, the Prime Minister said debates can play an important role in democratic discourse, provided that they are well-organised and based on facts.
“Well-structured debates are very good,” Pierre stated. “But you can only debate when your debater is living in the world of reality. How are you going to debate with people who just say figures, 20 percent, 40 percent, with no facts?”
He added that debates should focus on policy and substance rather than political theatrics.
“I always ask for Saint Lucia, let’s have a seasoned policy debate. How can I debate with someone who refuses to accept the verdict of a court?” the Prime Minister questioned.
Pierre also cautioned against the spread of misinformation, which he says has become a defining challenge of modern politics:
“I have things to say. I have to put the record straight in this country. I’ve kept very quiet. I have been battered. I have had misinformation about me and my government,” he said. “Right now, we have to put the record straight. There’s been too much misinformation in Saint Lucia over the last four years.”
The Prime Minister pledged to conduct himself with integrity throughout the political season.
“Without any rancor; I promise you, I will never slander anybody. I never attack anybody’s children. I never attack anybody’s wife or partner or spouse. And I will never talk about anybody’s sexual preferences. Never,” Pierre affirmed. “Because many people have skeletons in their pockets.”
Reflecting on his administration’s achievements so far, Pierre said several accomplishments stand out, but the introduction of a national minimum wage represents his proudest milestone.
“The achievements have been so big and varied that it is very difficult for me to say what I think my biggest achievement is,” he said. “I think it’s the minimum wage because the minimum wage is the substance of my party. The substance is the history of George Charles, and George Charles’ history has not been properly ventilated.”
The minimum wage, which came into force on August 1st, 2024, is $6.52 per hour or $1,131 per month, and is Saint Lucia’s first national minimum wage. It does not include separate payments for overtime, service charges, or bonuses.
Pierre added that Saint Lucia’s accession to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ranks among his government’s defining moments. “That showed confidence in our system, that showed belief in our people, that showed that we thought our judicial system was ready,” he noted.
The Prime Minister also credited the Youth Economy Agency as another major success, emphasising that it represents his administration’s ongoing effort to create opportunities for young Saint Lucians.