Will Rufus Bousquet Chance Running as an Independent in 2021?

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.

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.

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.)