While speculations of early general elections are swirling, the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) is taking no chances. “We are ready”, proclaimed party leader Arnhim Eustace at a public meeting in Barrouallie on Saturday, February 21st.{{more}}

The meeting, which was the first public meeting for the year of any of the political parties in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), was chaired by former NDP Parliamentarian Allan Cruickshank. Addresses were made by a number of speakers, including Norel Hull, who unsuccessfully contested the Central Leeward seat twice for the NDP. Hull criticized the area representative Louis Straker for what he termed “neglect” of the constituency, citing that they have the worst roads in SVG. He also said that they have to go beyond Obama’s ‘Yes we can’, to ‘Yes we must’, then ‘Yes we did’, to a fired-up crowd.

Party leader Arnhim Eustace said that when his party takes the reigns of office, the first thing he will do as Prime Minister is to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) from over 60 food items. “We have to ease the burden off the poor,” he further stated.

While most of the speakers criticized Dr Gonsalves and the Unity Labour Party (ULP), no mention was made of former NDP parliamentarian Jonathan Peters, who is engaged in a campaign to wrest leadership of the party from Eustace.

The NDP promises to step-up activities, which would include public and town-hall meetings, whistle stops, radio and television broadcasts, and even social activities. Two weeks ago, Patel Matthews was selected to contest the next general elections in North Leeward by the constituency council, and a public meeting will be held at the Sharpes Park in Chateaubelair tomorrow, March 7th.