Crime continues to dominate the United Workers Party’s political messaging, as opposition figures escalate their criticism of Police Commissioner Verne Garde.
Last weekend, former national security minister Hermangild Francis renewed his concerns about leadership within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, questioning the government’s succession planning.
Francis stated, “Up to now I asked for succession planning. Succession planning is key in the police force. So when these two fathers go in, they take out Verne Garde and they give it to Ronald Philip. Who is next in line? If Ronald Philip does not do well, who are you looking at? None.”
UWP spokesperson Lenard “Spider” Montoute pointed to a televised interaction earlier this year involving Housing Minister Richard Frederick.
According to Montoute, “We all heard Verne Garde getting instructions on television by Richard Frederick dictating to him what he should and should not do, and within days the wishes were carried out. That is not what I call a commissioner of police.”
Montoute added that Commissioner Garde’s silence during the incident was telling. “Verne Garde said nothing when Richard Frederick was dictating to him what he should and should not do. The notoriety that goes along with Richard Frederick is well known, too well known in this country. If I may quote Kenny Anthony, it is frightening.”
Meanwhile, UWP Castries North hopeful Stephen Fevrier outlined his party’s proposals.
“We are going to reduce the 2.5% levy. We are going to actually eliminate it. Crime, we are going to institute a border control agency which will be a meaningful step in restricting the illicit flow of weapons into this country,” he said. Fevrier also promised action on health care, saying, “We will effectively address health care by introducing National Health Insurance.”
Francis went further in his closing remarks. “I am promising the electorate, if they elect us, some of these ministers of government, especially people like Ernest Hilaire, Richard Frederick, Kenson Casimir, they are going to take some toasts out of jail,” he said.