Will Eustace look beyond his immediate political circle for a senator?

Just who will be named to the vacant office of Opposition senator, and will Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace use the opportunity to replace Senator Vynnette Frederick as well?{{more}}

Since the revocation of the senatorial appointment of Anesia Baptiste was announced last week, speculation has abounded as to just who will the New Democratic Party (NDP) President choose to replace the controversial former shadow minister of family and gender affairs, social justice, and ecclesiastical affairs.

Over the years, the persons named by political parties to the senatorial spots have usually been those earmarked to contest future elections, so as to give them experience and to bring them into the national spotlight.

It is for this reason that people have been questioning whether Eustace will continue to let Frederick, who contested the West St George seat on an NDP ticket in 2010, hold on to her appointment. After her unsuccessful bid at the polls, Frederick seems to have lost interest, and gave way to Baptiste, who was named NDP caretaker for that constitutency in 2011. Eustace may, however, be unwilling to jettison Frederick, given her fierce loyalty to him, a quality he appreciates dearly.

The first person who comes to mind as a potential apointee is Party Chairman Linton Lewis who was overlooked for the third time in December 2010 when Eustace named Baptiste and Frederick to the two senatorial spots. This decision did not sit well with Lewis, who is the party’s caretaker for East St George, having unsuccessfully contested this seat on an NDP ticket in both the 2010 and 2005 General Elections. Lewis was also unsuccessful on an NDP ticket in 2001 in the West St George Constituency. Will he be lucky the fourth time around?

Also on the short list of candidates are Addison “Bash” Thomas, Kenroy Johnson and Curtis Bowman. The three men, all of whom were public servants, had to resign their posts to run in the 2010 General Elections in the South Central Windward, North Central Windward and Marriaqua Constituencies respectively. They were all unsuccessful. Thomas and Johnson are teachers, while Bowman is a pharmacist. None of the men have been re-hired by the government, although they have applied.

It is uncertain whether Elvis Daniel, also a former teacher, who ran unsuccessfully for the NDP in the North Windward constituency in 2005 and 2010, and also was not re-hired by government, would be up for consideration. New names, including Shefflorn Ballantyne and Lauren Baptiste, have recently been mentioned as potential candidates in the North Windward constituency for the NDP, giving the impression that Daniel is no longer interested in contesting.

The name Ernesto Cooke, the Party’s Public Relations Officer, has even been mentioned, as it has been said that Cooke has shown interest in contesting the Central Leeward seat for the Party. Eustace may be wary of choosing Cooke, however, given his recent experience with Baptiste, who like Cooke, is a relative newcomer to the Party and whose loyalty has not been tried and tested.

If Eustace wishes to address the gender imbalance in Parliament by replacing Baptiste with another woman, he may have to look beyond those in his immediate political circle. Who then are the possibilities?

Choosing Louise Mitchell-Joseph, daughter of Sir James Mitchell, could help to mend the rift between Party founder Sir James and Eustace and perhaps make some party financiers happy. But Louise may not be ready to make such a move. In a 2009 interview with SEARCHLIGHT, Louise said while she considers herself a “political animal”, her immediate priorities are building her law firm, dedicating time to her family and her voluntary work. Any appointment of Mitchell would, however, raise the question of what seat would she be interested in, as the Northern Grenadines seat, which would be the obvious choice, is firmly claimed by NDP Vice President Dr Godwin Friday.

Other names being mentioned include Eustace’s daughter Maia. Although Maia has never publicly indicated an interest in contesting for national office, her name was thrown into the hat after she recently published a controversial letter in local newspapers titled: “Can we talk about race in SVG please?”

Earlier this week, Eustace indicated that he would announce Baptiste’s replacement before the next sitting of the House of Assembly, scheduled for May 8. In the meantime, he is most likely consulting with his inner circle; weighing the pros and cons of each candidate. But Eustace need not consult anyone. He can choose whom he wishes. The Constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines gives him that power.