NDP romps home 14-1

THE PEOPLE SPOKE emphatically in Thursday’s general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)propelling the New Democratic Party (NDP) into the position of governance after almost 25 years in opposition. With their sweeping 14-1 win, voters in this multi-island state categorically rejected the Unity Labour Party (ULP), and have catapulted Dr. Godwin Friday, Leader of the NDP, to be the next prime minister of this country.

Even before the announcement of preliminary results had reached the half-way stage, at around 8:30 p.m on polling day, supporters of the NDP were already celebrating victory at their Headquarters along Murray’s Road, and over on Bequia where Dr. Friday was part of the celebrations at the party’s offices on that Grenadine island . The NDP held on to the two seats in the Grenadines, the three Kingstown seats as well as South Leeward, and picked up North Windward, South Windward, South Central Windward, Marriaqua, East St George,West St George, and North Leeward, while for the ULP, only Dr. Ralph Gonsalves won his seat in North Central Windward.

The ULP’s East St George candidate, Camillo Gonsalves, was the first losing contender for his party to concede defeat. In a social media video post, Gonsalves, who served as Minister of Finance in the ULP administration, congratulated his opponent, Laverne Gibson-Velox indicating that the victory “… is the product of a very strong campaign spanning many years that obviously resonated with the people of East St George”. Gonsalves said he believes the voice of the people is the voice of God” and even in his disappointment on Thursday night “I still hold to those beliefs as the foundation of our democracy…”.

As is traditionally done by successful political parties in general elections, the prime minister-elect, Dr. Friday declared the day following the general elections a holiday.

In an interchange with the national elections broadcast panel he indicated that he will be moving to fulfil the 60-day plan that was placed before the electorate during the campaign. “ …I want to see that this country comes together and we put…our backs to the wheel and basically, work to build St Vincent and the Grenadines for all of us. That’s been my campaign message and that is what I believe and that is how I intend to govern…”, Dr. Friday said in the wee hours of Friday morning.

With the general elections now concluded, the new prime minister, having been sworn in on November 28, 2025, now has to put his Cabinet in place to get on with the task of governing.