Regional Opposition Leaders Discuss Forum In Saint Lucia

Seven regional opposition leaders met in Saint Lucia on Saturday to establish a ‘Leader of the Opposition Political Parties Forum’. A release on the meeting said Allen Chastanet of Saint Lucia, Dr. Keith Mitchell of Grenada, Dr. Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamal Pringle of Antigua and Barbuda were in attendance. Dr. ‘Shyne’ Barrow of Belize, Dr. Ronnie Yearwood of Barbados, and Roy McTaggart of the Cayman Islands were also present. According to a release from Saint Lucia’s opposition leader Allen Chastanet, Saturday’s preliminary gathering sharply focused on the need for higher awareness of the constitutional significance and resultant responsibility associated with the office of Leader of Opposition. The release also said the meeting sought to develop a framework for parliamentary oppositions in various Caribbean countries to share best practices and further strengthen their constitutional roles. The gathering reached a consensus on the importance of an opposition forum. In addition, it agreed to invite other opposition leaders to formalise a regional platform for closer collaboration. Addressing reporters at a press conference, Saint Lucia’s Allen Chastanet disclosed that many regional opposition leaders have had a shared experience. “Many times, the leader of the opposition’s position is demonised....