SLP accused of twisting facts as Bradly Felix defends walkout, citing Speaker’s blatant bias against Chastanet.
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia — Parliamentary Representative for Choiseul/Saltibus, Hon. Bradly Felix, has dismissed claims by the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and its supporters that he walked out of the Saint Lucia Parliament in protest against Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet. Instead, Felix clarified that his departure was a response to what he described as unfair treatment of Chastanet by House Speaker Claudius Francis.
Bradly Felix accused Speaker Francis of consistently denying Chastanet the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to debates, while allowing government MPs to speak freely, often veering off-topic during discussions on scheduled bills, such as the Real Estate and Brokers Bill. He described this as part of a broader pattern of bias in the House of Assembly.
“The claim that I walked out because of Allen Chastanet is completely false,” Felix stated. “I left because I could not stand the clear injustice being displayed by the Speaker against Mr. Chastanet.”
The controversy stems from a heated parliamentary session where Allen Chastanet attempted to address the contentious Orange Grove Daher Mall purchase. According to Felix, the Speaker repeatedly interrupted Chastanet, preventing him from fully expressing his views, even as other MPs were allowed to comment on the issue.
“I was especially upset when the Speaker refused to let Mr. Chastanet respond to comments made by other MPs,” Felix said. “It was clear that there was no equal opportunity for debate, and that’s why I chose to walk out.”
Felix’s departure from the chamber drew criticism from SLP supporters, who suggested it was a sign of discord within the opposition ranks. However, Felix insisted that his actions were solely motivated by a desire for fairness and proper parliamentary procedure.
Opposition members have increasingly voiced concerns over what they perceive as a lack of impartiality in parliamentary proceedings. They allege that the Speaker’s actions undermine democratic discourse and weaken the opposition’s ability to hold the government accountable.
Saint Lucia Government officials have yet to respond to Felix’s statements. However, political analysts suggest the incident could escalate existing tensions within Saint Lucia’s political landscape, particularly as debates on critical issues continue to unfold. With elections drawing nearer, signs of desperation within the SLP have become more evident, as mounting governance failures fuel a more aggressive stance toward opposition leaders. Critics argue that this growing hostility toward UWP figures is a calculated attempt to deflect from the administration’s shortcomings and maintain control amid declining public confidence.
The House of Assembly has seen several contentious moments in recent sessions, with opposition MPs often raising concerns about procedural fairness. Felix’s actions and statements could further galvanize opposition supporters who have long argued for more balanced parliamentary governance.
The Speaker’s office did not provide a comment at the time of publication.
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