PM Gonsalves may put on running shoes in 2015

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has once again hinted that he may contest the 2015 General Elections.{{more}}

Speaking at the Unity Labour Party (ULP) Anniversary celebrations at Rabacca last Sunday, the prime minister said that members of the party have indicated that they want him to continue and lead them into the next General Elections.

“Comrades, I am now 65 years of age. I am fit and strong…but I want to say to the young people in this party: You have to be coming forward in every way, because I am not going to last all the time,” Gonsalves said.

“I am made of flesh and blood, and each of us has to come to terms with his or her own mortality,” he continued, saying that although he was still in the struggle, he wanted to see more talented young people coming forward to help carry the load of the party.

He encouraged the youth to get themselves more organized in their various constituencies and to study hard and be disciplined in their work.

“I will not be able to do everything that is required to be done. It is like a relay. We do our best in the leg we have and we have to pass the baton on to others to help to compete in the race of life and development,” Gonsalves explained.

For that, he said, it was important for the young ones in the party to do their best and prepare for the future, as some of the older members of the party would no longer be around.

This latest announcement follows the comment made during a ULP public meeting last year, at which Gonsalves also hinted that he would contest the next General Elections.

“I tell you this, I had intended, I tell you the honest truth, to prepare the way for 2015 for one of these young men to take over the lead, young men or women to take over the leadership. But I tell you the way the NDP behaving, they making me give prayerful consideration about my intention because my conscience will not allow me to leave and to see those kind of people come, who don’t have no interest in this country, to undo the great work that we have done for fifteen years,” Gonsalves said at that public meeting.

That comment was made immediately following his party’s victory in the 2010 General Elections.

Gonsalves said then that he would not be contesting the 2015 elections, although he may be tempted to do so, should Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace return to contest the same elections.

Following the March 28, 2001, General Elections, where the ULP ousted the NDP from government, Gonsalves had said that he wished to serve two terms in office, which was expected to span from 2001 to the 2010 elections.

However, there was a third successful attempt in the December 13, 2010, elections, where Gonsalves said that there was some unfinished business that he had wished to take care of during the third term. (DD)