Vernon Daley

Sir John Compton - that sly old fox of Caribbean politics - has returned as Prime Minister of St. Lucia.

His victory in last week's general elections shocked many who felt he lacked the vim and vigour, if not the vitality, to run a successful campaign at 82 years old. Politics is still the art of the possible.

Sir John, who is as feisty as they come, already has a burning issue on his mind. He's concerned about regional leaders trekking to neighbouring territories to endorse parties and candidates in local elections. It seems a real issue for him and it should be a real issue for the rest of us in this small space called the Caribbean.

During the run-up to the St. Lucia elections, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, went to that country to campaign for the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) led by Dr. Kenny Anthony.

Uncharitable things

In endorsing the SLP, Dr. Gonsalves, in particular, said some pretty uncharitable things about Sir John. Even though he has since sent congratulations to the new St. Lucia Prime Minister, I suspect bad feelings are going to colour that relationship.

Sir John has said he plans to take the issue of political interference to the next meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads in 2007. Right-thinking people will be glad to hear there is some effort being made to curb this troubling political practice.

This business of political leaders island-hopping, telling citizens who to vote for in their own country, should be rejected.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines leader has been the chief architect in this enterprise. He was here campaigning for the governing People's National Party during the 2002 election and despite public outcry and disapproval he remained unmoved. In fact, he was back here earlier this year to endorse the governing party during its annual conference in September.

Former Caribbean diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders, who knows the region better than most, has no doubt this political meddling is dangerous and could harm this tiny community of states.

In a discussion with me on the matter last week, he suggested that if a United States leader should do what Dr. Gonsalves and others have done, there would be widespread condemnation across the region. He's right.

So, why should we react differently because the interference is being carried on by people in our own backyard?

Some commentators have argued that Sir John is hypocritical, having supported the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983. The argument here is that he endorsed outside influence in local politics. However, I can't see a parallel between the U.S. intervention after the coup in Grenada and the recent antics of Prime Ministers Gonsalves and Skerrit.

Two wrongs

But even if it could be argued that there is a parallel, it gets us nowhere. Two wrongs don't make a right.

It's going to be interesting to see what comes of any CARICOM meeting to find a solution to this issue. As I have suggested in this column, the matter should be discussed along with the official parliamentary opposition leaders across the region. They also have a stake in this.

All of us are entitled to have our political preferences. But leaders have a special responsibility to govern themselves by prudence, especially in a small bloc that can hardly afford internal discord as it struggles to survive in a tough global arena.

Vernon Daley is a journalist. Send comments to: vernon.daley@gmail.com.