Green Party first with manifesto

The Green Party has got a head start on the general election campaign with the official launch of its manifesto earlier this week.{{more}}

And although some persons may criticize the document saying that the Green Party’s vision is not practical, Ivan O’Neal, leader of the party, begs to differ.

“I would say they are all feasible,” he said.

O’Neal says that he is ready for when the next general elections are called and has promised both the Unity Labour Party(ULP) and New Democratic Party(NDP) that he intends to put up a hard fight.

The selection process for candidates has already begun and O’Neal says that he is ready to deliver.

“We will deliver and we have to,” he contended.

He outlined 5 components he referred to as important to the forward progression of the country.

They include the removal of water and fuel surcharge, removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and job creation.

But most importantly, O’Neal criticized the other two political parties for their failure to create revenue.

“We need to invest in projects that will bring returns and that’s the difference between the NDP, ULP and the Green Party,” O’Neal told SEARCHLIGHT.

“The common factor is the generation of revenue,” he explained.

On the issue of air travel, O’Neal said that he does not think the international airport being constructed at Argyle is sustainable.

He said that the Canouan and E T Joshua airports could have been upgraded to international standards.

“But not all of us are born with vision,” O’Neal maintained.

And it is because of the lack of innovation in the area of non tax revenue generation that O’Neal says his party has an edge over the NDP and ULP.

“Because the ULP and NDP have been so weak on revenue creation, this is a huge platform for the Green Party.”

In moving off the issue of policy making, O’Neal acknowledged the public’s perception of his party, saying that he is fully aware of the political situation in the country.

“A good strategy is the element of surprise,” he said, adding that he does not intend to fight on the same old strategy as utilized by the two other political parties.

“We will field 15 or so candidates depending, and I believe that we can win the election.”

And with the process of selecting his slate of candidates having already begun, he outlined another strategy.

He says that he is still working on membership, and promised to bring a good team.

“I intend to approach it differently where I will show it will be credible and that I can take the country forward.”

Something he says he believes he can do.

“I can deliver and I will never let my beloved country down.” (DD)