Rufus Bousquet’s surprise appearance in Choiseul last Sunday
has left room for much speculation – whether he intends to enter the race for the
next General Elections, constitutionally due in June 2021. According to
reliable sources Bousquet was seen at many watering holes feeling the pulse of
his comrades
.
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| Rufus Bousquet |
Rufus, a master tactician at campaigning, must have had a plan in mind
as he made his rounds around the constituency.
Further sources reveal that the guy is considering running
on an independent ticket……hmmmmm! Though with all his political prowess, Bousquet may have an uphill task knocking Bradley off – not sure if
Choiseulians are ready for independent candidates just yet.
Bousquet's political history shows that he served in the
government under Prime Minister John Compton as Minister for
Financial Services and the National Development Corporation before being
dismissed in 1995. Following the UWP victory in December 2006, he became
Minister for External Affairs, International Financial Services, Information
and Broadcasting in Compton's new government, sworn in on 19 December.
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| The incumbent Bradley Felix |
On May 1, 2007, he signed an agreement with Taiwanese foreign
minister James Huang restoring diplomatic relations between the two
countries at the expense of St. Lucia's relations with the People's
Republic of China. In early June 2007 Bousquet was dismissed from the
government by Compton; some speculation attributed the dismissal to the
restoration of relations with Taiwan.
Bousquet expressed his readiness to seek the UWP leadership
at its planned convention in October 2007. Following Compton's death on
September 7, 2007, reports indicated that Bousquet only supported the
designation of Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King as Prime
Minister on the condition that he be brought back into the cabinet, but he
was not included in it when a cabinet reshuffle occurred on September 12.
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| Pauline Antoine-Prosper |
On June 6, 2008, having restored a good relationship with
the Prime Minister and the cabinet, The Honorable Rufus Bousquet was sworn in
as Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce, Investment and Consumer Affairs . In
February 2009, the Prime Minister gave up his position as foreign minister and
restored Bousquet to the position.
In the November 28, 2011 General Elections
he obtained a total of 2756 votes whereas his opponent, Lorne Theophilus,
obtained 2810 of the constituent's votes thus ending his run as parliamentary
representative for Choiseul.
In all of Bousquet’s political life he has never won two
straight terms and has always been flogged by underdogs with no political
experience. Therefore it leaves one to wonder whether with no political base
whether his intention is not purely as a disruptor. This article is a clear indicator as to the amount of work which needs to be done by Rufus
to win back the confidence of the his
supporters – and to make matters more difficult he may be running on an
independent ticket.
The 2021 race for the Choiseul/Saltibus Constituency may be
a three-cornered fight with Bradley Felix, the incumbent (UWP), Pauline
Antoine-Prosper or Alphonsus St Rose (SLP) and hopefully Rufus Bousquet (IND.)
