PM knocks Eustace’s stance on proposed new Constitution

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is appealing to the Opposition to abandon the stance it has taken against the revisions made to the Constitution – citing their reasons as being “puny and trivial.”{{more}}

At a press conference held on Tuesday, June 2nd, Gonsalves made mention of several of the 40 – 50 new provisions, which he deemed as being of the “beneficial kind”, set out in the new Constitution. He declared that these new provisions make it a far superior document to the current one.

Some of the revisions include: the removal of the British monarch as Head of State; a mixed system of elections; introduction of an independent electoral and boundaries commission; an Ombudsman to deal with administrative abuse; replacing the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice; definition of acceptable marriage; and charters for women, youth, workers and teachers, amongst others.

Gonsalves remarked: “All these things the Opposition wants to vote against? This is not about the ULP. This is about the country. He further explained that many of the provisions would actually work in the favour of the Opposition because they will remove many of the Prime Minister’s responsibilities. “There are several instances in which the PM’s powers will be reduced… You may not have another prime minister like me who is prepared to give up so much power!”

Confident that at least two-thirds of the nation will vote in favour of the new constitution, Gonsalves believes that the public can see that Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace is being “obstructionist and petty.” He continued: “I am satisfied that the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will provide a clear-cut answer…”

Additionally, Gonsalves is convinced that Eustace doesn’t have the National Democratic Party’s majority support against the Constitution, and should be careful of how he advances with the matter. “He’s in a real monkey pants, and may well find himself removed from office… I don’t believe he has the bulk of support from his party.”

The new Constitution is available for download from the government’s website www.gov.vc and for a fee of $5 from the Government Printery. Gonsalves urged all Vincentians to obtain a copy to see for themselves what the proposed changes to the Constitution are, instead of subscribing to the sensationalism being purported by those who oppose it. (JSV)