Who speaks for people of Bequia?

The Constitutional role of who is the true representative of Bequia almost became a tug of war early Monday morning.

And Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves stepped in immediately to clarify the responsibility.{{more}}

At the time, the role came into question when representatives of the Government and the People’s Action Alliance (PAA) of Bequia were engaged in a meeting on the sale of Crown lands on the Northern Grenadines island to assist with the funding of the international airport at Argyle.

Addressing the meeting at Cabinet Room, Main Administrative Building, Garfield Gurley, Secretary of the PAA, said the nine-member delegation present at the meeting was representing “the views of Bequia”.

Dr. Gonsalves interjected, stating: “I am representing the views of Bequia as the duly elected Government of St.Vincent and the Grenadines. you are representing the views of some residents in Bequia.”

Gurley instantly remarked that the delegation was coming with a message from the people of Bequia, and again Dr. Gonsalves quipped, “Some people of Bequia”.

“I represent the Government of the people of St.Vincent and the Grenadines… let’s get our constitutional role quite correct,” said Dr. Gonsalves.

“If you wish to say that, you can say that, but I am just telling you what is the formal and real constitutional position,” Dr. Gonsalves noted.

The group claimed they are representing 1, 500 signatories.