‘And you, Mr Eustace, are not and will not be allowed to play God to me’

Anesia Baptiste will not follow or obey the policy of the New Democratic Party (NDP) which stipulates that no candidate or potential candidate of the party should make any public statements which are averse to any religion.{{more}}

The former senator made her position clear in a letter dated April 17, written to Party President Arnhim Eustace.

Baptiste said she will not agree with the policy, as it is against her conscience.

“I will not follow or obey it because it is against my conscience which God alone can dictate to. And you, Mr. Eustace, are not and will not be allowed to play God to me.

I will not follow or obey it also because it is against my God-given religious liberty right exercised in my freedom of opinion and speech.

I will not follow or obey it because it is an attempt to limit my free (legitimate) speech.

The policy position you dictated is also against the highest law of the land-the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and not in harmony with the spirit of the principles and objects of the constitution of the NDP. I will not follow such an unconstitutional policy,” Baptiste said.

She ended her letter by asking the Party leader not to disappoint her.

“My dear sir, with all due respect to you, when I joined the NDP, it was because I believed that the party had respect for rights and freedoms of all Vincentians, those in the party and those in government, unlike the tyranny of the ULP. I placed a lot of trust in the ideals of this party and hoped that through its policies we will see a new politics, a new beginning, a golden age for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Please do not hurt me so much by disappointing me. Please do not make me feel that I have misjudged this party,” the 11-page letter ended.