SAINT LUCIA IN A JUMP AND WAVE MOOD
June 27, 2006
EDWARD HARRIS AT LARGE
SAINT LUCIA IN A JUMP AND WAVE MOOD
BUT NOT NEGLECTING THE ACTIVITIES
OF THE POLITICAL SILLY SEASON!!!
I recognize that I have a lot of catching up to do as my recent assignments have kept me away from bringing you the developments worthy of being shared with you. Saint Lucia is alive and well in spite of the crime situation that the entire nation is grappling with as we are all conscious of the consequences, especially as it relates to our lead and growth industry – Tourism.
The calypso season is moving forward smoothly, quarter finals completed and moving onward with everyone looking forward to an enjoyable carnival leading right up to the holiday Monday and Tuesday, July 16 & 17, 2006 when the curtain comes down on Carnival 2006. In the meantime, there are lots of action including the Queen Show, Panorama, Semi Finals and Finals of the Calypso and Soca Monarch Competitions, King and Queen of the Bands and the several fetes in between. It is constant jamming all through from here on.
This year, the calypso tents are not holding the sway as in times past. The Soca Jump and Wave craze is digging deep into the roots of calypso, a development which started a few years ago in Trinidad when the Barbadians almost took over the tents with soca music. It is definitely the kind of music for today’s energy driven generation. Generally speaking, calypso is being pushed aside and Soca is gaining momentum to the point of almost taking over Carnival. The emergence of New Generation Soca Tent (NG Soca Tent) is the buzz in tent circles here in St. Lucia, with Alpha and crew mashing up the place with a large following. Today’s Calypsonians will have to be versatile as Crazy claims, it is the only reason why he is still in the equation in Trinidad and Tobago.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, as a young generation of Calypsonians is emerging. A youngster to watch although he is still at school is Floopsy. He will definitely be in the finals. This is a youngster with a future in Calypso and if groomed properly could be a major contender in the calypso and soca arena, and in time to come could be a double winner of the Calypso and Soca crowns here in St. Lucia. It is interesting to note that this year even the politicians are let off the hook. That is a reflection of where the calypso is heading. The political and social commentaries are vital aspects of the lyrics of calypsoes.
The politics of the nation is holding its own in spite of the obvious diversions. Last Sunday, the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) launched its candidate for Choiseul, Dr. Tennyson Joseph, a former Political Attaché in the office of the Prime Minister. It was the first time the residents of Choiseul witnessed a display of fireworks in their district. The United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for that constituency is Mr. Rufus Bousquet who has so far lost both elections since 1997 to the SLP candidate Mr. Ferguson John. Mr. John has passed on the baton to Dr. Tennyson Joseph.
Both parties have to date endorsed fourteen (14) candidates each out of the possible seventeen (17) constituencies on the island. The SLP is yet to name candidates in Dennery North, Denery South and Babanneau constituencies and the UWP in Micoud North, Castries South and Dennery South. Rumour has it that there could be changes of endorsed candidates along the way in at least one of the parties. We will watch and see. The million dollar question is – when will be elections in St. Lucia. There is no sign of urgency coming from the SLP camp to indicate a possible election date before December, 2006 but constitutionally, the government has until March 2007 to call general elections.
What is the state of play? While the UWP is failing to take advantage of the new kid on the block Mr. Richard Frederick, a prominent attorney at law who successfully contested the Central Castries seat recently, the SLP is positioning itself to be a formidable contestant in the next general elections whenever that day comes. The recent endorsement of His Excellency Julian R. Hunte who is the current Ambassador to the United Nations is one such move in the process of producing viable candidates to the electorate.
As I move around the country and discuss the present status of the political parties as they get set to parade in preparation to enter the starting gates, I ask the question which party do you think will win the next general elections? Those who want to play it safe will respond that it is too close to call. I say it is not too close to call.
Stay tuned. As always, God is in charge and I am back to bring you fair and balanced reporting on the run up to elections 2006/2007.
Keep the Faith, God is in Charge!!!
Edward Harris – Email eaharrisdestiny@gmail.com