Fife brings fresh blood to ULP

Dayle DaSilva 15.Jan.10

Michelle Fife has mixed feelings about her appointment as Unity Labour Party (ULP) Senator, which takes effect today.

But she says that she is not too nervous.{{more}}

Instead, she intends on putting her best foot forward in doing the work of the people.

“The foundation was laid very early in my life in terms of my faith,” Fife said, adding it is something her mother instilled in her.

Fife, who replaces Richard Williams as one of the three ULP senators in Parliament, said she feels “ an overwhelming sense of joy” in having been selected.

“I’m humbled that I have been given the opportunity to serve my country in this capacity,” she told SEARCHLIGHT.

She expressed enthusiasm about what the future holds in relation to her appointment and said she is thankful that she has been given the opportunity to get to know her fellow Vincentians.

“So often we go through life and we are not able to connect with how people are really feeling about certain issues that affect us from day to day.”

“I am hoping to marry the two concepts of what we face as individuals and what we hope to achieve in relation to our policy,” she contended.

As for her age, Fife acknowledges that she is young, with the appointment coming just shy of her 30th birthday.

But she insists that this does not mean that she cannot bring a new perspective.

“For anything to grow and develop there must be a sense of newness,” Fife explained.

“For those who may challenge my appointment based on my age, I would say yes I am young, but there is the possibility that I can bring something new.”

“Experience will come; age will not preclude me from doing well as long as I am willing to learn along the way,” she added.

A former Miss SVG, having won the title in 2001, Fife served in the capacity of Crown Counsel in the office of the Attorney General shortly after she was called to the Bar in 2007 in both St Vincent and Jamaica.

Her former appointment saw her doing prosecution work on assignment with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and serving as Acting Registrar for a number of outfits including the Commerce and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).

“I’ve enjoyed myself; it has been quite a learning experience.”

But now she is ready for the challenges associated with public life and is looking forward to serving the people.

Referring to herself as a perfectionist, Fife said that she now has to learn to deal with some imperfection and to not look at things with such rigidity.

“There will be times when I will be required to compromise and have to learn to look at things from a different angle.”

“I’m new to this thing, but I do understand and I have grasped the most important virtues of any aspiring leader,” Fife told SEARCHLIGHT.

And what about an active career in politics?

Fife said that she has not taken active steps to pursue a career in politics.

“But has my mind been addressed to it? Yes people have asked me,” she said.

“I went away to become an attorney. I can’t say I worked towards a political career.”

Although she stopped short of giving a definite response about her future in politics, Fife said that she was determined to make a contribution and intends on building her nation one brick at a time.

For the time being, she is busy preparing herself mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

“In terms of criticism, I am preparing for that also,” Fife explained.

“I know I have a lot of people rooting for me and I am going to do my best.”

“For those bent on criticism regardless, they’re entitled to their position.”

For the time being, Fife says that she is focusing in on the future, come what may: failure or success, she says she intends on embracing the opportunity as she strives for excellence.