Are we to fear the Government of SVG?

21.SEP.07

Editor: During the reign of the James Mitchell led NDP Government [1984 to 2000], there was no attempt to muzzle or engender fear into the minds of the good citizens of SVG. In fact, freedom of speech was strengthened, with the introduction of the FM Radio Stations, which signaled the birth of numerous live interactive talk shows that could be heard daily in SVG. Ironically, it is popularly believed that these very radio stations helped contribute to the then Government’s premature removal from office.{{more}}

Silent Dictatorship?

Given the history of talk shows, I think it is important to consider the genre in the context of today’s political climate. Is the post NDP Administration Talk Show Host too reckless? Or, does the ULP Administration possess zero tolerance for criticism? Why are so many activists, who happen to hold a different view to that of this Government, dragged to Court to answer charges such as libel and those that are as nefarious as causing alarm? By allowing the actions of those that wield the power to go unchecked, are we laying the foundation for a dictatorship Government, or a Government that is led by a dictator? Why are so many of us as Vincentians silent, when so much wrong is going on in our beautiful Hairouna?

Strange things have happened to people who are perceived to be of a different political hue. Those who have been brave enough to let their voices be heard have met with ignominious fates. If you do not believe me, answer these questions: Why was Junior Bacchus fired from ECGC? Why were Mrs. Eustace and Mr. Leacock fired from VINLEC? Why was Marcus DeFreitas’ land compulsorily acquired? Why is Nice Radio relentlessly stalked by this Government? Why is Mr. Elwardo Lynch being insulted, ridiculed and victimized by this Government? And why, all of a sudden, is Matthew Thomas being described as a “stinking dirty dog”?

Then we still need to know what, if anything, what happened between Jomo Thomas and the ULP? In fact we need to know if he is still a member of that party. If not, can we know why? I wonder if the top brass of the ULP still regards Bassy Alexander and Keith Joseph as good writers? Is this Government capable of unifying SVG? Why say “Together now” and not mean it?

Form a Human Chain around Me

Why also was just about half of the top brass of the RSVGPF transferred? Is this a political move? Was this move made because of mistrust? Did the Government suspect leaks? I will ask no more questions and say no more on this issue for fear of being dragged to court.

The Olive Branch

On more than one occasion, I have heard the current Leader of the NDP say that he will not oppose the Government just because he is in Opposition, but that the other side of the House will join with the Government if the endeavour is nation building. We have evidence that he is a man of his word when the NDP helped in the presentation of the VAT Bill in Parliament, even though, as was expected, the Government did not go along with the NDP’s most important requests: the removal of VAT on basic food items and electricity bills. The result of the Government’s refusal to listen to reason has been extreme hardship for the people of SVG.

It is my opinion the current Prime Minister of SVG is a total failure. I will wager to say that this is the view of most reasonable, right-thinking honourable members of the Vincentian society. Even some of the Prime Minister’s most ardent supporters are disappointed, for he has no clue about running a modern small island economy.

In these times, we should be joining forces as a society across political lines to ensure our island state’s survival. These are times when we must work together to develop ideas to build our nation. Instead, we are more divided than ever, and those of us who think that we could be doing better are cowed into subservience and silence for fear of the terrible retribution from those with the power to affect our very survival. What a terrible thing it is to be hungry and not have the independent means to feed ourselves and our families! Instead of nation building, the Government concentrates on getting better at begging anyone who will listen for the dollars it needs to finance yet another project that we will not be able to maintain in the years to come. Were these the fresh ideas the Prime Minister had when he asked us to give him a chance to run SVG?

I will end with a question for our Prime Minister: When will the ULP come out of what seems to be a permanent election mode, so that we can all concentrate on running SVG in a proper manner?

Bryan Alexander