Senior Government Minister Stephenson King has called for a return to civility and collaboration in Saint Lucian politics, contrasting the respectful political culture of earlier decades with what he described as the “toxic” environment that now dominates the national landscape.
King, a longstanding member of the United Workers Party (UWP) who once led the organization, broke away from the party ahead of the 2021 general election, citing disagreements with its leadership, ideology, and style of governance.
Running as an independent candidate, he was successful at the polls and later joined the Cabinet of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and has been labelled a traitor and a snake by the Opposition and its supporters.
Speaking on Zafe Nous on Tuesday morning, King recalled his early years in politics when, despite being on opposing sides, politicians worked together for the benefit of the people. He pointed to his relationship with former Opposition Leader Julian Hunte as an example of constructive engagement across party lines.
“Julian Hunte would call me at home to discuss issues like community centres, playing fields and programs for children. It wasn’t about conspiring politically; it was about collaborating for the good of the country,” King said.
King reminisced that such interactions often extended beyond politics into personal friendships. He recalled Hunte frequently calling his home and even speaking with his late mother, describing those moments as a reflection of a different, more respectful era in public life.
The Castries North MP lamented the current political climate, criticizing the rise of disrespect, name-calling, and personal attacks among political figures and their supporters.
“Politics then, as compared to now, was absolutely different. Today, we see people disrespecting senior politicians and calling them names. The quality of political discourse has declined, and it is sad,” he noted.
King praised Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre for articulating a position against personal attacks, emphasizing that the Saint Lucia Labour Party must remain focused on issues rather than insults.
Turning to governance, King also reflected on the importance of collective decision-making in Cabinet. While acknowledging that not all decisions were perfect, he stressed that ministers had a duty to defend collective positions in the national interest.
He cited past experiences with the granting of concessions, warning of the risks of excessive giveaways to foreign companies.
“When you grant concessions recklessly, you not only forgo much-needed government revenue, but you also disadvantage local businesses. It allows foreign companies to import everything, bypassing local suppliers. We must strike a balance,” King explained.
King said concessions remain a useful tool for stimulating investment but argued they must be structured in a way that benefits both foreign investors and local industries.
The former Prime Minister stressed the need for consensus-building and political maturity, highlighting that the role of government is to advance the welfare of citizens rather than deepen partisan divisions.
