Adult Suffrage arrived in 1951

AN announcement in the Government Gazette in 1949 heralded the arrival of Adult Suffrage which had been very much called for especially since the disturbances of the 1930s. The political atmosphere began to change as excitement was obvious among those persons who were going to be voting for the first time. The issue of a simple literacy test for those who had reached the age of 21 had surfaced, but was rejected especially by McIntosh’s party; property and income qualifications were to be removed but replaced by a deposit of $120. The number of elected members was to increase from 5 to 8. The term of the existence of the Legislative Council was to be three years. Elections were to be held on October 15, 1951, but McIntosh’s Workingmen’s Association announced its candidates and platform on September 22, 1950. On October 21, 1950, Dentist, Frank Ellis announced the formation of his New Era Party which was to include Milton Cato, Samuel Slater and Herman Young. Not much was heard about it after although Ellis did contest in Kingstown as an Independent.

What, however, transformed the political scene was the launching on May 1, 1951, of a new movement, the newly formed United Workers, Peasants and Ratepayers Union of George Charles. George Charles had gained some political experience in Trinidad as a member of a county council and as a trade unionist. Members marched from the King George V Playing Field in Arnos Vale to Victoria Park in Kingstown. The workers, according to the news reports, wore black crosses symbolising the labour struggles. With bands playing “Onward Christian Soldiers” Charles led the march wearing evening dress “with a six-inch scarlet red sarong across his shoulders and (bore) a wooden sword.”

It was not clear when the decision was made to enter the political contest, but the Union held its first political meeting on Tuesday, May 22 at the Market Square. Among the other speakers were Morgan and Young. Charles had invited Ebenezer Joshua to be part of his union. Joshua was a primary school teacher who had migrated to Aruba, Grenada and then to Trinidad where he became involved with the Butler Union and had even contested a seat there in 1950 (information from Evans Morgan). Joshua, who began speaking at meetings at the Market Square, was reported by the Vincentian newspaper as capturing the imagination of the people and described him as” brilliant and worthy of a seat on Council;” the speakers as having political charisma, and with style and powerful oratory. The meetings began with hymns, and their speeches were filled with biblical references and in the case of Joshua, matters from ancient history. George Charles promised the audience “a political fight in underpants.” For Joshua, the Political Spring had arrived.

McIntosh found himself very much on the defensive. He had been out of the country for a while, there was some dissension within his party and his age (he was only 65) was being used against him. The Charles-Joshua union won the first election under Adult Suffrage overwhelmingly. Both men were well versed in trade unionism and captured many of McIntosh’s union members. McIntosh was actually the first person to set up unions in St. Vincent in the 1945/46 period. The United Workers, Peasants and Ratepayers Union won the 8 seats they contested-Joshua in North Windward, George Charles in Central Windward, Evans Morgan-South Windward, Julian Baynes St. George, Rudolph Baynes- Kingstown, Herman Young- South Leeward, Samuel Slater-North Leeward and Clive Tannis in Bequia. In Kingstown, McIntosh lost his seat in a three-way contest, getting 861 votes, with Ellis 252 and Rudolph Baynes 1065.

Sixty-nine point seven percent of registered voters voted, with the sick and blind taken to the polling booths. There were 1291 rejected votes. This was a time when illiteracy was quite high, and some voters had to be taught how to mark an X. This is where symbols became very important since for some, it was easier to recognise the symbol rather than the names of the candidates. These early years under Adult Suffrage resulted in a number of divisions and defections among candidates. The “Eight Army of Liberation” so called, faced early internal divisions. Four members decided not to accept an invitation to go to Government House, and among the four not accepting was Joshua, Slater and the two Baynes. Other divisions appeared within the union which led to Joshua forming his own Federated Industrial and Agricultural Workers Union. The Big Four led by Joshua held their own separate meetings, but after a while only Joshua appeared. He was by the time of the 1954 elections able to recruit Young and Joachim (who was formerly an associate of McIntosh’s Workingmen’s Association). Joshua had then formed his Peoples Political Party and won 3 of the 8 seats. By 1957, three parties were in contention, the St. Vincent Labour Party under Milton Cato was formed in 1955, and the People’s Liberal Movement (PLM) emerged from the Labour Party after a dispute over leadership. Young was elected leader, with Charles his Deputy. Rupert John was the Chairman, with Egerton Richards Vice-Chairman and David Jack Secretary.

George Charles ran against Joshua who had moved to Central Windward, with his wife Ivy representing North Windward. Herman Young won for the PLM in South Leeward. Other PLM candidates were William Falby in South Windward and Gideon Providence in North Leeward. To the people of North Leeward PLM meant “Provi Lose He Money.” Provy got 4.7 % of the vote, Samuel Slater winning that constituency as an Independent. (To be continued)

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian