A win is a win! – says PM Gonsalves

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has indicated that a smaller hold on the country’s parliament does not take away from his leadership of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Dr. Gonsalves made the statement to journalists following his victory address to the nation on Monday night at the Electoral Office in Kingstown a few hours after his Unity Labour Party’s (ULP) 8-7 win over the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in the country’s General Elections.

The Prime Minister noted that he had both the majority in the number of seats won and also the popular vote, and said that he would also strengthen his elected representatives with quality senators, as the Unity Labour Party prepares for a third term in government.

“If it were a situation like 1998, when they (NDP) had an 8-7 majority but they had only 45% of the vote and we had 55 (per cent), clearly if you in government and you have a one seat majority and you have a deficit of ten percentage points to the Opposition, that’s an untenable situation.”

“But I have a 52 per cent of the votes and I have eight seats. I have a majority on both counts; having a one seat majority does not lessen my position as Prime Minister.”

“When I go to the Parliament, you need one vote to pass a law,” Gonsalves observed.

I have that and I can choose four senators; and I will choose senators for positions where we see strength added to the government.”

“You know the mettle of the man when he turns setbacks into an advantage.”

At the Prime Minister’s swearing in ceremony, which was held two days later at Government House, Dr. Gonsalves repeated his desire for ‘friendship’ between his ULP led government and the NDP in an effort to move forward with the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Let there be no mistake that the people have spoken and they have elected a government with a majority of the seats and a majority of the votes.”

When asked on Monday night if he was satisfied with the results of the elections, the Prime Minister responded that he was, unless it can be clearly shown that there were irregularities.

Dr. Gonsalves also disclosed that he would not be contesting another General Elections, although he would be tempted to do so, should Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace return to contest the anticipated 2015 elections.(JJ)