ULP marks 23rd anniversary in office with massive rally

The ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) marked its 23rd anniversary in office with a grand rally at the decommissioned E.T Joshua Airport at Arnos Vale on Sunday April 7, 2024.

The ULP was sworn into office following its victory in the 2001 general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and has secured victory in successive general elections since that victory on March 28, 2001.

Aiming for victory and a sixth term in office in general elections due in 2025, party leader and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves was in high spirits at Sunday night’s rally telling party supporters “you have to give the Unity Labour Party a sixth term.”

“After that, you have to assess to give them more again.”

Dr Gonsalves went on to state that in 2001, the people bought into the ULP’s vision, “ and you have seen the immense progress and the upliftment that the ordinary man and woman in this country- that you have had.”

While admitting that the road is not easy, Gonsalves praised supporters for their resilience and steadfastness.

Reflecting on the ULP’s terms in office, the party leader said the country is now at a higher level of human development.

“We have changed St Vincent and the Grenadines for the better,” he declared.

“Sometimes when you hear them talking, they don’t remember our legacy of underdevelopment.”

The prime minister noted that over the past 23 years, people in St Vincent and the Grenadines have experienced improved life and living.

“We have made the improvements by maintaining freedom and democracy and transparency and accountability; that is what we have done.”

The ULP leader also reminded the huge gathering that it was under his administration that many things changed for the better.

“Under the NDP, my voice couldn’t be heard on a radio you know. My voice was not to be heard, but I took to the streets and I let people hear my voice in every single village across St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Gonsalves also called on party supporters and Vincentians generally to be in solidarity with each other, in order to make progress happen.

He charged that each time the government seeks to do something to advance the country, the opposition New Democratic Party is “always there trying to create confusion and dissension.”

Dr Gonsalves said neither the progress nor the good governance which the ULP has made, can be reversed.