PM says: Never promise what you cannot deliver

Prime Minister Doctor Kenny Anthony has told the ruling party’s Dennery South Candidate, Jerome Gedeon, to refrain from making a promise that he cannot fulfill.

“It is a fatal sin,” Anthony told Gedeon’s official launch yesterday on the grounds of the Dennery Primary school.

After admonishing Gedeon to always deliver on a promise, Anthony noted that at times when promises are made, circumstances change and promises cannot be kept.

“Never forget that when this happens you must go to the people, be honest with them, tell them’ I promised but I could not deliver,’” Anthony declared.

He urged Gedeon, whom he described as a young, exciting candidate, to shun arrogance and walk with the poor, visiting them wherever they are.

Anthony told the new candidate that the people are his master and he, their servant.

“While you must be a servant of all the people, never forget that it is the poor the working class who are the most dispossessed and need out greatest help, “he stated.

He told Gedeon that the ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party is one that hates corruption and believes in the integrity of its politicians in whom the people place their trust.

Anthony, observing the proliferation of mobile telephones in the society, cautioned against what he called – politics by Whatsapp or BBM.

He said it was one thing to know technology.

But he warned that technology should never become the master of a politician.

“Having a cell phone can never replace a smile, a handshake, a visit to an elderly person to cheer them up and give them hope and reassurance,” the Saint Lucia Prime Minister told SLP supporters.

The PM disclosed that one of the things that continues to worry him is the continuing necessity to ensure that the children of the poor and the working class can get an equal education.

“We have gone eighty percent of the way; we give everybody five hundred dollars every term and we have given our children laptops and enough space in secondary schools,” Anthony recalled.

But he said there was more as he was now ready to grant promised relief to parents who have to pay CXC fees, and would give further details later.