Leacock pays tribute to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

Opposition Member of Parliament, St Clair Leacock, has showered praise on Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves for his 30 years as representative in Parliament for the constituency of North Central Windward.

During the sitting of Parliament on Thursday February 22, 2024, Leacock softened his usual hard hitting style, and heaped praise on Dr Gonsalves.

He publicly acknowledged Dr Gonsalves for his 30 years of representation of the people of North Central Windward.

Leacock who is a vice president of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), has been wearing the hat of president in the absence of party president and Opposition Leader, Dr Godwin Friday, who returns from a trip to the UK today, February 23, 2024.

In commending the Prime Minister, Leacock said “when the history of St Vincent and the Grenadines is written, he will be more than any footnote.”

“He will be centre place in our political history. Thirty years is not 30 weeks or months; it’s 30 gruelling years.”

The NDP politician, who was part of Dr Gonsalves’ United People’s Movement in 1979 considers Dr Gonsalves to be “an interesting political study.”

“There is some consistency in his writings and his beliefs,” he commented.

Leacock recalled Dr Gonsalves on many occasions speaking about the wilderness years.

“No one in the political history of St Vincent and the Grenadines has more wilderness years than him,” Leacock noted.

While Dr Gonsalves constantly states that he does not want anything named after him while he is alive,

Leacock expressed the view that “ it would be disingenuous to say that we wouldn’t find landmarks or contributions of his that would stand the test of time”.

The opposition lawmaker further said that persons “would have to be heartless” in saying that Dr Gonsalves has not impacted the lives of people.

“I wish him good health in his remaining years. I say without malice, and at some political risk speaking for myself…I want to say that on this side of the House we are mindful and do appreciate where you have made a difference in Vincentian’ lives.”

Over the years Leacock has been a strong political opponent of the administration of Prime Minister Gonsalves, especially in Parliament, where he represents the people of Central Kingstown.