Leacock’s right, Labour ain’t easy to beat – Gonsalves

Hundreds of Unity Labour Party (ULP) supporters gathered at the Campden Park Secondary School last Sunday for the party’s 24th national convention.

Addressing supporters, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said coming into 2020, it must be noted that the ULP is the most successful political party in the region and the country.

“For five elections we have won the majority support and for four elections we have won the majority of seats and no party in St Vincent and the Grenadines has that record,” the PM told party supporters.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

He said that in March, the ULP will celebrate 19 consecutive years in office and no political party in the country or the hemisphere can boast of this.

Prior to the PM taking the podium, a clip with the voice of New Democratic Party (NDP) politician and parliamentary representative for Central Kingstown vice-president St Clair Leacock was played in which Leacock tells persons not to underestimate Dr Gonsalves.

“So St Clair Leacock is right, Labour ain’t easy to beat and our roots are deep, our connections with each other are well founded, very strong and we have the leadership, we have the policies and the programmes, we have the candidates…” Gonsalves told supporters.

He added that the ULP has limitations, but its members work hard and smart and overwhelmingly in the interests of the people of the country.

The PM also boasted that in its 19 years in office, the ULP has never had a reason to dismiss any member of Cabinet or has a member ever resigned.

“Go through every other country and you don’t find that. So, when you come to us, you come to us with unity and stability and a focus, sense of purpose,” the PM said.

He added that the government has made huge strides in education, health care, foreign policy, trade and commerce among many other areas and continue to do so.

“There is far less poverty, indigence and undernourishment… there is far better education and training in every respect, there is far better delivery of health services in every respect.

“There is far better housing for everyone, there is far better social security at the National Insurance Services and at public assistance than ever before, there are far more and better sporting facilities, far more and better cultural facilities,” stressed Dr. Gonsalves.

He added also that huge strides have been made in improving the road networks including bridges, while there have been improvements in air and sea access and immigration issues.

“The economy is larger; the country is wealthier today than in 2001. We have a stable monetary system, we have a stable financial system and we have low inflation, far better and deeper regional integration and foreign policy and diplomatic representation,” said Gonsalves.

The PM also added that he will announce the date of the election when the time is right.

“From today we get the signals as to what will happen with God’s grace during the rest of this year, until after prayerful consideration, and I ask the question, speak Lord your servant Ralph is listening, and the date is given unto me, and the bell is rang, and we will be going for a fifth term and we will be winning again for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Gonsalves said.