The NDP appears to be fumbling the election yet again with its candidate selection for West St. George. As a concerned constituent, I am thoroughly unimpressed. On one side, we have a man with a documented history of dodging his parental responsibilities, and on the other, a woman whose ties to the constituency are tenuous at best.
The decision to remove Kay Bacchus as the area representative was long overdue—no one wanted her on the ticket again. Rumors persist about whether she was pushed aside or she finally realized she was unelectable. When you look at it , her exit was necessary. Unfortunately, the replacements we are left with, Chaka Cupid and Louise Mitchell, hardly inspire confidence.
Chaka Cupid’s candidacy raises serious questions about the NDP’s vetting process. According to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (https://www.eccourts.org/judgment/taja-cupid-nee-young-v-kaschaka-cupid), Cupid stopped supporting his two children financially, claiming he was annoyed by their mother’s demands and her trips to the United States. In his own words, he “decided to withhold payment of the $400.00 to Mrs. Cupid because of the constant annoyance from her… because he saw it as his duty as father to ensure that his children are the ones benefitting from his financial contributions.”
This is nothing more than wasteman behavior—punishing his children to spite their mother. No matter the circumstances, failing to provide for one’s children is indefensible. How can someone who needed a court order to care for his own children credibly ask to represent the people of West St. George? Is this the standard of leadership Dr. Friday and his team find acceptable?
Added to this, where was Chaka all this time? He has never meaningfully contributed to the NDP, has no voice on any pressing issues, and is only recognized in limited cricket circles—a far cry from the level of engagement and leadership we need in West St. George.
Then there’s Louise Mitchell. While she is known for her advocacy on national issues, including banning whale and turtle hunting, her work lacks any connection to West St. George. How many more of our traditions would be at risk if she were elected? Her involvement in environmental conservation, while commendable on a broad scale, does not translate to tangible benefits for this constituency.
Moreover, for years, her husband – Bing Joseph was a vocal critic of the party on his media platform. Now, suddenly, the same platform is being used to support her candidacy. There is a huge Boom-Louise campaign ongoing. This inconsistency does little to build reassurance.
I cannot, in good conscience, support a man who neglected his children out of spite. And Louise Mitchell has yet to demonstrate why she is a suitable choice for West St. George. Simply put, neither candidate has my support at this time.
This situation underscores a broader issue within the NDP: a lack of decisive leadership. Dr. Friday needs to take a hard look at his team and lead the party in a direction that inspires trust and enthusiasm. Anything less will leave the people of West St. George—and the NDP—at a serious disadvantage.
For now, I remain unimpressed. #DoBetterNDP
UnimpressedConstituent
The views expressed are not necessarily those of Asberth News Network.