SLP appalled at treatment of Emma Hippolyte

The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) is appalled at the apparent lack of respect demonstrated towards Hon. Emma Hippolyte by various platform speakers, including Lennard “Spider” Montoute and Guy Myers, at a recently held United Workers Party (UWP) Meeting in Gros-Islet.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party noted that the comments were made to the delight and mirth of Allen Chastanet, the UWP Political Leader.

During his speech seeking the approval of the one hundred people gathered at his endorsement, Lenard “Spider” Montoute said the following,

“You cannot ask me to run with someone who cannot even walk. Granny Emma cannot even walk you are asking me to run with her?”

It is amazing that a party which presented an 82 year old in Sir John Compton to the electorate in 2006 would express such disregard and disrespect for older citizens. What is even more disheartening is the message challenging the abilities, dedication and passion of the elders among us. Clearly, this is a position the UWP has held except when it was convenient to ride on the name of Sir John Compton.

In the end, the public will judge Hon. Emma Hippolyte on her record of honesty and excellence in her professional and parliamentary life. The public will recall also, that it took an SLP Government to introduce benefits such as the Home Help for the Elderly Program for our senior citizens and increase the public assistance packages given to our poor and vulnerable elderly.

Whereas the disrespectful comments of Spider, Guy Myers and others are not a reflection of Hon. Emma Hippolyte’s representation of Gros-Islet, Saint Lucia will remember it as a bold display of disrespect for the elderly among us. Through their comments, the UWP has basically classified elderly citizens as useless to our country. This is very disgraceful and disrespectful towards the men and women who have worked so tirelessly to build this country.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party urges the people of Gros Islet to ensure that Spider is soundly whipped for his disrespect and contempt for Miss Hippolyte and elderly persons in our midst.

Via st lucia news online