Sir Louis lauds ULP achievements

Retired politician, Sir Louis Straker is of the opinion that no government in the history of Vincentian politics has done more for the country than the Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration and none ever will.  

Sir Louis, who contested the general elections on a ULP ticket in 1994 and was elected the Member of Parliament for Central Leeward made the comment on Sunday, March 6 on the WE FM “ Issue at Hand” Programme.  

He was commenting on the party’s upcoming anniversary since it was first elected to office on March 28, 2001.

Noting that the ULP is the first party in the Caribbean to have won five consecutive elections under the same leader, Sir Louis stressed that winning elections is not something to be taken lightly as it means the ULP is achieving its mission of accomplishing the plans and policies highlighted in the party’s manifestos.  

He said he was once in opposition for seven years and since 2001 when the party came to power, they have accomplished many things.  

“I find it very difficult to pinpoint…there are so many things this government has accomplished,” Sir Louis told radio listeners.  

He said when the New Democratic Party (NDP) was being led by former prime minister, Arnhim Eustace the administration had asked for $12 million in debt forgiveness but was denied.  

According to Sir Louis this was because the NDP “did not have a pro-poor policy” and was not “out to eradicate corruption” but when the Dr. Ralph Gonsalves led administration came into power the government obtained debt forgiveness because of their pro-poor policy and determination to stamp out corruption.  

Sir Louis noted also that the NDP seemed to be against the public broadcast of things like the Budget presentation but the ULP brought all the proceedings of the House to the public. 

He said he is amused when he hears the NDP talk about lack of transparency.  

Sir Louis said the ULP would be remembered as a government that puts women first and mentioned as examples former Chief Magistrate, Sonya Young and diplomats, Andrea Bowman and Louanne Gilchrist.  

He said the party can also boast of investing in young professionals and spoke about former minister of health, Luke Browne being one of the youngest ministers to ever sit in parliament.  

“We have looked out for everybody,” Sir Louis said while noting that they righted several wrongs by providing severance payments to thousands of Vincentians.  

This was apparently in reference to, among others, workers on former government estates at Orange Hill, Rabacca, Wallilabou, and Richmond Vale.  

He noted that the ULP created an education revolution with numerous scholarships, made possible universal access to education, instituted a housing revolution with no income, low income and middle income homes where government workers obtained 100% mortgages.

He listed as well a focus on adult literacy, early childhood development, strides in the health sector with the better polyclinics and the new hospital in Georgetown.  

Sir Louis also pointed to the building of the Rabacca bridge and the Argyle International Airport (AIA) and highlighted the reluctance of the NDP to support the airport project.

At the wider level, he listed this country’s seat on the United Nations Security Council and its building of diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including more than 20 African nations.  

“….The Golden Years Centres at Black Point and Pembroke, the new prison, home help for the elderly.
 
“We have so many great things that we have done for this country that people are taking it for granted and we are not finished…” Sir Louis said while also pointing to hotel development and the race track at Diamond as nation building projects.  

“Had it not been for this government we would have been in the boondocks, so I will like to thank the people for electing the government for five consecutive terms.”

With respect to Central Leeward, Sir Louis said he is proud of the Layou waterfront project, two learning resource centres in the constituency, the wharf in Barrouallie, two secondary schools at Buccament and Peter’s Hope and a facility for fisherfolk in Barrouallie.  

He said the ULP has wise and competent leaders who have accomplished many things. 

Sir Louis who held various portfolios as a member of the cabinet including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, and Trade; Minister of Transport, Works, and Housing retired from politics in 2010, but was recalled by the party to contest the 2015 general elections and won his seat. 

He retired once again in 2020.