Former St. Lucia Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has introduced that he’ll retire from lively politics and won’t contest the following common election in 2026.
The long-serving politician, who at the moment represents Vieux Fort South for the ruling St. Lucia Labour Social gathering (SLP), additionally confirmed he is not going to endorse any candidate to exchange him.
Addressing supporters at a public assembly in his constituency on Wednesday evening, Anthony, 74, mentioned constituents ought to take the time to judge any potential candidates for themselves. “Assess how they work together with you, how they specific their dedication to the St. Lucia Labour Social gathering and the way they may marketing campaign to win your confidence and assist,” he urged.
“As I say to all who method me, it’s early days and what I’ve mentioned to you tonight is what I’ve mentioned to all others, who’ve approached me,” Anthony added. “Nobody, none of you possibly can ever say that I’ve requested you to assist X or Y candidate… none of you possibly can testify that I’ve requested you to ever assist any explicit candidate.”
Dr. Kenny Anthony, who served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2006 and once more from 2011 to 2016, mentioned his choice was influenced by each age and well being issues. In a reflective and emotional speech set to the backdrop of “By the Rivers of Babylon,” he additionally made it clear that he desires no titles, monuments, or honours in his identify.
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“I don’t crave anyone’s goodwill, I don’t crave anyone’s apologies. I don’t need these issues not at my age… I search no monument, I would like no constructing, no roads, no communities named after me. None!” he mentioned. “These of you who accomplish that… you accomplish that at your individual peril.”
Anthony, a former common counsel on the Caribbean Group (CARICOM) Secretariat and a regulation lecturer on the College of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, emphasised that he wished solely to be remembered for the connection he shared together with his constituents. “I solely need you to recollect me as a superb and first rate human being,” he mentioned.
He additionally defined that he declined any place within the present authorities, saying he didn’t need his presence to overshadow Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre. Extra just lately, Anthony served as a member of CARICOM’s Eminent Individuals Group (EPG), alongside former prime ministers Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Perry Christie of The Bahamas, engaged on regional efforts regarding the disaster in Haiti.
“It’s sufficient that you simply trusted me to characterize you,” he concluded.
