Generally speaking, when one talks about precedent one refers to cases decided in a higher court which a lower court must follow if that lower court is making a decision in a similar case. That is not the definition which we apply here.
We have chosen to apply the Cambridge Dictionary definition of precedent in out-of-court situations. The Cambridge dictionary defines precedent as: “an action. situation, or decision that has already happened and can be used as a reason why a similar action or decision should be performed or made.”
We, here on a View From The Outside, have chosen this topic today, in light of something which Vincentians and the rest of the world were reminded of during the funeral service of the late Hon Chiefton Allan Cruickshank. That funeral service was on Sunday the 06/04/2025 at the New Grounds Primary School Grounds.
The eulogy was given by Simeon Greene, a villager and longstanding boyhood friend of Allan Cruickshank. During the eulogy, Simeon Green told listeners that as regrettable as he was to mention something, he felt compelled to mention it. The following are Simeon’s words:
“As with all human beings, there were highs and lows of Allan’s life. Delight and sadness. Service and achievements. But sorry I have to say this, but I have to say it. Sorry, but I have to say it, one lingering disappointment. This disappointment was related to him being denied his pension when he left parliament before reaching the age of 55. There was no law preventing his payment. And the precedent had already been set. But the sad part is, that this denial almost cost Allan his house and his children’s education.”
By the thunderous applause of the attendees at the funeral service, those words clearly resonated with them. That denial of Allan Cruickshank’s gratuity and pension, for a significant period of time, is another of the stains on the Unity Labour Party Government.
Simeon Greene talked about the effect of denying Allan Cruickshank his pension which is that “it almost cost him his house and his children’s education.”
Imagine for a moment, if you can, how devastating that must have been for Allan Cruickshank. Imagine, if you can, the impact on his emotional and mental wellbeing. After all, Allan Cruickshank was someone who had dedicated his life for serving the Vincentian people – many years as a teacher and headteacher, and 17+ years as the elected member of parliament for the constituency of South Central Windward which he represented with distinction. Not forgetting, of course, that he was also acting prime minister on several occasions.
Simeon mentioned precedent. He said that the precedent had already been set and that there was no law preventing Allan Cruickshank from receiving his payment (his gratuity and pension). He is correct – there is precedent! That precedent was set by the late Sir James Mitchell’s New Democratic Party government. The precedent was set after the defeat of the Labour Party government in 1984. One would remember that prior to their defeat, they described themselves as the strongest government in the world. So, following the defeat of the so-called strongest government in the world, one of their members who had not yet reached the age of 55 faced financial difficulties. In fact, that member was about 49 years old. His home was threatened (just like Allan’s was). He sought the New Democratic Party government’s assistance, and the government intervened and ensured that he received his gratuity much earlier than 55 (the then stipulated pension age).
It must be noted that the said Allan Cruickshank was a member of that New Democratic Party government which made that decision, and we, here on A View From The Outside are of no doubt that he exercised his benevolence and approval.
So, the precedent was indeed set and there was nothing stopping the Unity Labour Party government (under the leadership of the prime minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves) from extending the same benevolence to Allan Cruickshank. They didn’t!
They, however, chose not to follow the precedent from which one of their very own benefited previously. They chose to watch Allan Cruickshank wallow in financial hardship for years. They made the decision not to lift a finger to assist him.
Clearly, from the reaction of those at the funeral service, and no doubt many who viewed on the internet, the stench and the stain of their decision still linger.
Brereton Horne – “A View From The Outside”
