Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Full Disclosure
October 9, 2009

Youth place Country before Party

“We are not here to discuss matters concerning party politics; we are here to talk about national business. And we ought to draw the distinction early o’ clock, this is not about party, it is about love for your country,” – those were the sentiments of a group of young ladies who attended a gathering I attended this week.{{more}}

It is indeed a pleasure to hear so many of our young people, be it on radio, discussing in the streets; at consultations and even writing in newspapers repeat that in this critical period of constitutional reform we must all place Country before party.

It is a positive sign that our youth are encouraged and willing and ready to join this GREAT CAUSE for constitutional reform at the highest level. It brings about an overwhelming feeling and I will like to specially welcome every young person to this continued national dialogue.

Today, something is happening in our Country; today, something is happening in our land. there is a cry for Constitutional Reform and it is being heard throughout our nation. Our people are saying we want to be free in every material respect from a constitution which still shackles us to many forms of colonialism.

We obtained our national independence in 1979, and today we boast, and rightfully so, of a National Flag; a National anthem; we have a National Bird; we have a national flower; a national Dish; and a national pledge; but in the year 2009, thirty years after receiving our national independence, we still cannot call the Constitution our OWN.

How do we define ourselves as the youth in the process? The young people of SVG, we constitute the bulk of the economically active age group. The young men and women of SVG, we are the future farmers, pastors, teachers, nurses, businessmen, doctors, lawyers and Parliamentarians. We are the building blocks of our NATION! The future challenges of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are the challenges that we MUST CONQUER. The greater the challenges the harder we must work.

As the youth, we must never take our freedom lightly, for in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines there was a period of time when our young people were enslaved. There was a time when we did not have our freedom as young people to move through this country as we do today; we worked but were never paid; we were owned as property by a MASSA! Those are the facts. Our fight for Constitutional reform is indeed the continuation of a fight for freedom.

The young people of SVG we are saying that we deserve a document which will allow us to fully take ownership of our sovereignty.

This week I encourage every young person to please read the following areas in the proposed new constitution:

Read Clause 19: “Due appreciation is to be accorded to young persons for their contribution to nation-building.”

Read Clause 20: “Every young person has the right to educational, social, cultural and vocational enhancement, including a right to fair opportunity for responsible participation in national development.”

A vote “YES”, is a vote for more rights for our young people.

Read Clause 22: “Protection of children” – Children are entitled to the protection of the rights of the child as expressed in relevant international treaties.

Read Clause 68(b): Composition of parliament – qualification to be a member of Parliament. The new Constitution will permit persons to stand as candidates in elections at the age of eighteen (18) years, instead of the present minimum age of twenty-one (21) years. Empowerment to the Youth!

Our youth must remain positive in the campaign for constitutional reform. We must stand today and be counted! Forward ever backward never!

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a nation where dreams are realised. No matter how humble our beginnings are, once we are focussed, we can achieve every goal we wish to achieve. Constitutional reform is realisable. There are examples of thousands of young persons in SVG who through hard work and dedication were able to lift their heads above water, rise to the greatest occasions and shine excellently. Yes we can do it.

On November 25th, 2009, we the youth of SVG will have a very important meeting with history. We will be asked two simple questions, and we must make one important answer. Let us use our power wisely!

Let’s vote yes for a constitution which embodies the hopes and dreams of our ancestors. Let’s vote yes for a constitution which will allow us to make a quantum leap towards the development of an authentic jurisprudence. Let’s leave the politics out of it.

By voting yes, you allow light to shine over darkness, and knowledge to shine over ignorance. I enjoyed how one young lady said it at a recent debate on the issue of constitutional reform that on your birth certificate you do not see ULP, or NDP, you see Saint Vincent and the Grenadines -SVG.

That’s why we are sounding A BATTLE CRY! Do not be distracted! Do not be led astray! Place your Country before your party.

For love of country VOTE YES! YES WE MUST! Vote Yes for Progress!

Saboto Caesar is a Lawyer and Unity Labour Party Senator, now serving as Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture etc.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Villa woman in  hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Front Page
    Villa woman in hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Police are said to be carrying out investigations into the stabbing of Rafia Sardine, a 20-year-old female of Villa. Reports are that Sardine, a FLOW ...
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Front Page
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    In St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), an analysis has found that the most hacked government entity was the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Polic...
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Front Page
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Leaders of Governments and institutions from countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the continent of Africa, gathered at the weekend for ...
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Front Page
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is proud of the persons in his constituency who continue to aim for higher education. Dr Gonsalves is the parliame...
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Front Page
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A van conductor, who beat his five- months pregnant ex-girlfriend after she refused to get back with him, has been remanded pending sentencing. Onez J...
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    From the Courts, News
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A Lowman’s Hill man who struck another villager in his head with a piece of steel will know his fate tomorrow, September 10, 2025. Kevin Roberts, 25, ...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok