Petition for the conduct of Prime Ministerial And Member of Parliament Debates

We all live in a dynamic world where changes are made at a rapid pace, and small island developing states like St Lucia have struggled to keep up with countries endowed with greater resources. However, there are some things that require no more effort than a resolve to do whats rights to bring about fundamental change to societies and set our countries on a trajectory of prosperity.

In this regard, the St Lucia Debates Commission, a Non-Profit establishment, is seeking to introduce Prime Ministerial and Member of parliament Debates as an essential element of modern campaigns and elections, commencing 2016 or whenever the next elections are called in St Lucia. The debate will provide voters with multiple opportunities to see leaders of our Political Parties discuss important issues in an unscripted manner. A properly conducted Political Debate gives voters an opportunity to examine and analyse issues in a manner that allows them to compare positions of debaters. Debates also provide less room for candidates to distort their opponents' positions as misrepresentations can be challenged on the spot. Above all, debates should be immune to unfair advantages based upon funding and political party structure. We will jealously guard the independence of political debates as a central pillar of our conduct.

We feel the time is opportune for St Lucia to grab the opportunity to demonstrate its maturity as a democracy in embrace this important feature. The St Lucia Debates Commission is currently seeking technical assistance from two well-known and established organisations in the field - the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Help us build support for this important initiative in the democratic process by signing this initiative. We will then forward to all eligible political parties as evidence of the sentiments and will of the People of St Lucia.