Gonsalves says Opposition ‘ain’t taking their years in the wilderness to learn’
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves says being on the Opposition side of Government is not an easy task, especially if those individuals have to wait for a long period of time before taking the reins of government.{{more}}
âLey me tell you, Opposition ainât easy yuh know⦠I could tell you,â Gonsalves told a gathering at Orange Hill on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister said he used his period as an opposition member to learn the ropes of good governance, before he got into office.
He said he waited and learned, but persons who are now in opposition do not want to do that.
âDem man dey looking at fifteen years straight. You think that easy? And they chafing at the bit, they want it, they want it. They get bazodee⦠you think it easy to be out there for fifteen years?
âBut, you see, what they donât know, I was in the wilderness longer and you know the quality of the leadership when you have wilderness experience. There are some fellas who donât want to stay in the wilderness,â Gonsalves further stated.
He said he accepted his time in the wilderness gracefully.
âI took my years in the wilderness to learn. These fellas ainât taking their years in the wilderness to learnâ¦â
Using the examples of Moses, Joshua and the prophet Nehemiah from the Old Testament, Gonsalves noted that they spent a long time in the wilderness learning to do things properly, but it seems as though Opposition members today do not want to wait past five years.
âYou see they came so close the last time like, ohhh at the last minute, Comrade just take it away from them⦠Itâs like every day they have ague.
âYou think that easy? And you watching another five years after that, from 2015 to 2020. Heavenly father, the fellas them, they chafing at the bit,â Gonsalves said.
The PM also said that there are some persons who will publicly oppose the building of the international airport and other government proposed projects, but in private, they are in agreement.
âThey will tell you privately, yes, they want it build, but if Ralph build it man, he can put the pot on the fire for a fourth term for the ULP. They donât want that,â Gonsalves stated.
Gonsalves first contested general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines in 1979. He was unsuccessful in that outing, as well as in his attempts in the general elections of 1984 and 1989.
Following his success at the polls in 1994, he was made deputy leader of the opposition Unity Labour Party. Following the resignation of Sir Vincent Beache, Gonsalves took over the leadership of the party in 1998. He later led the ULP to win the 2001 general elections, becoming prime minister.
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