Dear Editor, The recently concluded meeting of Opposition leaders of the OECS States held in Castries is indeed a step in the right direction, as stated by the leader of St. Lucia Parliamentary Opposition Dr Gale Rigobert. It is high time that leaders of the Opposition parties in the sub region meet on a regular basis to discuss problems and at the same time work out strategy how the opposition can assist the governing parties. In the mid-1980s a movement called SCOPE — Standing Committee of Popular Democratic Parties in the Eastern Caribbean, was very active and played a significant role in development of the sub region. Antigua and Barbuda’s Baldwin Spencer who was Opposition leader at the time and Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, were in the forefront of that movement and they both became Prime Minister. Dr Gonsalves is still head of the multi island State and is seeking a fourth consecutive term at the helm. The Castries Confab was organised by the OECS Commission and the Opposition leaders praised the Commission for its vision and foresight of what has been described as “inclusive governance and for attempting to correct the historically disturbing trend of excluding Opposition Parties from governance – both at the national and regional levels” I recall how Spencer and Gonsalves fought bitterly for Opposition leaders to be invited to meetings of Heads of Government, but their calls were ignored. I sincerely hope that after two decades there might be a change of heart with new leaders in place including Dr Gonsalves. The leaders should bear in mind that they will not be in office indefinitely and opposition leaders are awaiting “in the slips” to take over leadership from Prime Ministers. Perhaps it might be a good idea if Caricom, or any other regional or international organisation can organize conferences of opposition leaders of the wider Caribbean from Guyana to Jamaica. There is no doubt that Opposition leaders can bring a lot to the table. One could note that there have been changes in government during the past year or so four governments were removed in Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Maybe Opposition leaders should be allowed to sit in at Heads of Government conferences as Observers.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet