Youth not a fan of current ‘brand of politics’ says Independent candidate

Independent candidate, Kenna Questelles, believes changes need to be made in the current political landscape if Vincentian youth are to have any interest in participating in the electoral process.

The West St George hopeful and former New Democratic Party (NDP) member threw her hat in the ring last month for the upcoming General Elections constitutionally due this year.

Speaking on WEFM’s Activated Morning programme, Questelles said the “bickering” which has become a common feature of Vincentian politics is not appealing to the younger generation.

“Youth aren’t interested in the brand of politics that we have been putting forward in SVG.”

She contended that youth are concerned about national issues and want to be involved in the development process.

“They are concerned about crime in one way or the other, and they are concerned about St Vincent and the Grenadines. When we frame politics in light of the bickering and the back and forth, the youth aren’t interested in that type of politics, but they are interested in the development of their country.”

Questelles is so far the only person who has declared their intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming election, and despite the historical trend of third party candidates not securing wins at the polls, she said she is “daring to change the political scene” in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The former NDP Women’s Arm Vice President said she believes that most Vincentians have lost confidence in the “traditional parties”.

“On the ground I got the sense that people were not pleased with the system of either party.”

She explained her reason for severing ties with the NDP, saying “I like to be a part of things wholeheartedly… when I was with the NDP I was with the NDP, and if I am not aligning with a cause or a particular organization I like to remove myself. I don’t think it’s right for me to sit in on something that I don’t believe in”.

Questelles intends to contest against NDP nominee, Kaschaka Cupid, and ULP incumbent, Curtis King, for the West St George constituency.